Ring of fire solar eclipse Oct 14, 2023

Sky gazers and scientists have all been counting down to witness today"s annular solar eclipse which will pass over parts of the Americas. A solar eclipse is nothing more than an alignment of the sun, Earth and moon that has the earth passing through the moon"s shadow. But why is the solar eclipse in today"s image different? It occurs when the moon is farthest from the Earth because of its elliptical orbit. When this happens, it appears smaller, letting the sun"s brilliance peek through and creating a halo—the "Ring of fire". Viewers in specific regions can witness this cosmic show, but please be cautious. This eclipse should not be looked at directly without wearing specialised eye protection.

© Sorin Furcoi/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dont just fly, darling. Soar!
Oct 14, 2024Fishing boats at Coco Beach in Goa
Oct 14, 2025Village of Oia in Santorini, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 4, 2025Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
King of the ocean
Apr 24, 2024The white trilliums in Ontario, Canada
Sep 28, 2023Container ship near a port in Thailand
Jul 31, 2025Kalalau Beach on the Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii, United States
Dec 9, 2025Guanaco, Punta Norte, Valdés Peninsula, Argentina
Jan 11, 2024Eurasian lynx
Jan 28, 2024Channel Country, Australia
Hot enough to howl
Creating a better world
Bungle beehives
Nov 1, 2023Haut-Barr Castle, Vosges
Jul 24, 2024Flock of Swaledale sheep in North Yorkshire, England
A grand view
Nov 29, 2023New York City, USA
Apr 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Aug 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
Oct 6, 2025Anshun Bridge, Chengdu, China
Feb 27, 2024Polar bear cubs
Oct 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Dec 28, 2024Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
Apr 6, 2025Dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
Stripes in sight
Aug 17, 2025Lyngvig Lighthouse, Hvide Sande, Denmark
Sep 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Dec 25, 2023Christmas Day
Jan 13, 2025Happy Welsh New Year!
Sport where you least expect it
Stairway to heaven?