A rare annular solar eclipse will appear on Sunday for the first time since 1994.
The first annular solar eclipse visible in the United States in almost 18 years will occur on Sunday, May 20.
Unlike a spectacular total solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and sun and blocks all but the sun's corona, Sunday's annular eclipse will leave a visible "ring of fire" surrounding the moon's dark silhouette.
". . . and the Sun has perished
out of heaven,
and an evil mist hovers over all."
Said to refer to a total solar eclipse of 16 April 1178 BC.
From: Homer (Greek), The Odyssey (8th century BC).
