A solar eclipse doesn't get much more spectacular than this. On 14 October 2023, a stunning annular eclipse cut across parts of North, Central and South America, leaving millions captivated by a mesmerising ‘ring of fire’ burning in the sky.
This spectacular phenomenon unfolded as the Moon passed in front of the Sun. As the Moon wasn’t close enough to Earth to completely block out the Sun’s rays, a small fiery halo of sunlight remained visible.
Throughout the Americas, solar eclipses are not uncommon – people in regions of the US, Mexico, and Canada can look forward to a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. However, this will not be a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse, the next one of these visible in 2039 around the US.
In the UK, the next solar eclipse, a partial eclipse, will occur in March 2025. The next total eclipse visible on the British Isles will be in September 2090.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
(1/3)The Moon starts crossing in front of the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images(2/3)The Moon crosses and eclipses the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images(3/3) The 'ring of fire' effect of the Moon eclipsing the Sun during the annular eclipse of the Sun over Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, during an annular eclipse on 14 October 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Mexico City, Mexico
People watch the annular solar eclipse at the Luis Enrique Erro Planetarium of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) in Mexico City on 14 October 2023. Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty ImagesThe annular solar eclipse as seen from the Luis Enrique Erro Planetarium of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Luis Barron/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing/Getty Images
A woman uses a welding mask to watch the annular solar eclipse in Bogota on 14 October 2023. Photo by Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images
California, USA
A view of the annular solar eclipse as seen on a Sunspotter telescope at Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano, California, USA on 14 October 2023. At the height of the eclipse, the moon covered approximately 70 per cent of the Sun's surface. Photo by Mark Rightmire/Digital First Media/Orange County Register/Getty ImagesA solar enthusiast with a parrot views a partial solar eclipse through special protective glasses at the Griffith Observatory, California, USA, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Tatacoa, Columbia
(1/2) The Moon moves across the Sun's path in Tatacoa, Colombia on 14 October 2023. Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu/Getty ImagesTATACOA, COLOMBIA - OCTOBER 14: The Lunar orb moving across the sun's path, creates the Annular Solar Eclipse spectacle in the Tatacoa, Colombia on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manaus, Brazil
The Moon crosses in front of the Sun during the annular solar eclipse as smoke haze from fires in the Amazon rainforest blankets the sky in Manaus, Amazonas State, northern Brazil, on 14 October 2023. Photo by Michael Dantas/AFP/Getty Images
Utah, USA
A compilation of photographs shows the progress of the Annular Solar Eclipse on 14 October 2023 in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Photo by George Frey/Getty Images
James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine. He has worked on the magazine and website for over a decade, telling compelling science stories through the use of striking imagery. He holds a degree in Fine Art, and has been nominated for the British Society of Magazine Editors Talent Awards, being highly commended in 2020. His main areas of interest include photography that highlights positive technology and the natural world. For many years he was a judge for the Wellcome Trust's image competition, as well as judging for the Royal Photographic Society.
