00:00The first solar eclipse of the year takes place on Tuesday, but only 2% of the world's population will
00:07be able to see it clearly.
00:08Most of those will be in the Antarctica, home to research stations and wildlife.
00:13It's an annular eclipse, which takes place when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, but is too
00:20far away to cover it completely.
00:22The result is what is known as the dramatic ring of fire, with a bright circular edge of the sun,
00:28all that one can see.
00:30It will also be partially visible to observers in southern Africa and the southern tip of South America.
00:36In South Africa, the maximum eclipse will be in the early afternoon, with the National Space Agency warning people to
00:42use protective eyewear.
00:44Solar eclipses happen a few times a year, but are only visible from places in the path of the moon's
00:50shadow.
00:50As for the full solar eclipse, due to the remoteness of the Antarctic, it will be visible to more penguins
00:57than people.
01:00IL BAILEY
01:00BIDGE
01:00LOS
Comments