‘Ring of fire’ eclipse, summer solstice tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos will witness two astronomical events tomorrow – an annular solar eclipse and summer solstice or the longest day of the year.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the moon does not completely cover the sun in an annular solar eclipse, leaving edges of the sun visible. This creates a “ring of fire” around the moon.

PAGASA said the event would be observed as a partial solar eclipse in the country.

“Because the moon is farther away from the Earth, it seems smaller and does not block the entire view of the sun,” PAGASA said in its montly astronomical diary.

A total solar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s light.

The annular solar eclipse will start at 3:01 p.m. and end at 5:31 p.m. The maximum phase of the eclipse, or when the moon is closest to the center of the sun, will occur at 4:23 p.m.  

Eclipse obscuration or the fraction of the sun’s surface area covered by the moon is estimated at 68 percent visible in Manila. 

PAGASA said the northernmost areas of Luzon would have a good view of the partial solar eclipse, with eclipse obscuration of up to 91 percent.

In Itbayat, Batanes, the eclipse will begin at 2:54 p.m. and end at 5:28 p.m. The maximum eclipse is 91 percent visible at 4:18 p.m.

PAGASA advised the public to use glasses, binoculars, and telescopes with solar filters during any type of solar eclipse.

“Looking at the sun is dangerous. It can damage your eyes,” it said.

Meanwhile, Dario de la Cruz, chief of PAGASA’s space science and astronomy section, said daylight in Manila will last for 13 hours tomorrow.

“Nights are at their shortest and daytime at their longest during summer solstice,” De la Cruz said.