West Africa will witness two solar eclipses in 2025, following a series of celestial events leading up to the year. An annular solar eclipse, known as a “ring of fire,” will occur on October 2 over parts of South America, including Easter Island and areas of Argentina and Chile.
During an annular eclipse, the moon obscures all but a ring-shaped portion of the sun due to its distance from Earth. This event will primarily occur over the Pacific Ocean, with only 5% visible from land. A partial solar eclipse will also be observable in regions including Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
For those eager to view the eclipse, safety is paramount. Special solar eclipse glasses, compliant with ISO 12312-2 standards, are necessary to protect against eye damage. Regular sunglasses or binoculars are not sufficient.
After the October 2 event, the next solar eclipses in 2025 will bring additional opportunities for viewing in North America, Europe, and West Africa, culminating in two total lunar eclipses in March. The next total solar eclipse will not occur until 2026.
