annular eclipse

American  

noun

1. an eclipse of the sun in which a portion of its surface is visible as a ring surrounding the dark moon.

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annular eclipse British  

noun

1. an eclipse of the sun in which the moon does not cover the entire disc of the sun, so that a ring of sunlight surrounds the shadow of the moon Compare total eclipse partial eclipse

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annular eclipse Scientific  

1. See under eclipse

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Etymology

Origin of annular eclipse

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Ryan Imperio has been named the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year for a photograph that captures the progression of Baily’s beads during the 2023 annular eclipse.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

I have an assortment of neutral density filters because I had previously photographed an annular eclipse, when the moon is farther away in its Earth orbit and therefore doesn’t block the entirety of the sun.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

In a total eclipse, the Moon fully blocks the Sun from Earth view, while during an annular eclipse, a narrow ring of sunlight can be seen encircling the Moon.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2024

Maybe you experienced Saturday’s annular eclipse and just can’t get enough.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2023

In February, 1831, I counted seconds for father, who observed the annular eclipse at Nantucket.

From Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals by Mitchell, Maria