Rare ‘ring of fire’ eclipse visible this weekend

A rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse will occur this weekend, marking the Summer Solstice with a unique celestial fete.

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'Ring of fire' eclipse The annular solar eclipse is seen on June 21, 2020, in Xiamen, Fujian Province of China. (Huang Shan/VCG via Getty Images)

The moon is too far away from Earth to block out the entire Sun, leaving a sliver visible causing an annular solar eclipse and giving the appearance of a "ring of fire" around the moon starting around 5:43 p.m., according to NASA.

The New Moon will block more than 99% of the sun, Forbes reported. Stargazers in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia will be able to view the eclipse. A live stream is also available.

The Summer Solstice, which is the longest day and shortest night of the year, when the sun is at its highest point, is at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, six hours before the “ring of fire” starts, Forbes reported.

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