Get Ready…for the Ring of Fire!

Later today, a solar eclipse will block out a large portion of the sun. For people in East Asia and the western U.S., this will appear as a strange “Ring of Fire.” People in the middle of the U.S. as well as in Canada will see a partial eclipse, but will miss out on the Ring of Fire. Unfortunately, those of you on the East Coast will miss out entirely since the sun will set before the eclipse takes place.

 The Ring of Fire?

Eclipses are documented throughout history. Some were viewed with fear and consternation. For example, sometime between 2128 BC and 2134 BC, the Chinese Emperor Zhong supposedly beheaded two astrologers named Hsi and Ho for failing to foresee an eclipse. Other eclipses were viewed with awe. One example of this is the eclipse predicted by Thales of Miletus in 585 BC. Supposedly, this brought about an end to the war between the Medians and the Lydians.

Check out Space.com’s eclipse skywatching guide for good viewing locations as well as times. And enjoy!

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