Rare 'Ring Of Fire' Eclipse Will Burn Colorful 'Hole In Sky' This Weekend

If you're a big fan of stargazing, you might want to grab a telescope and head outside this weekend.

The first solar eclipse of the year is set to make it's debut on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

The upcoming spectacle isn't just one of those boring old eclipses that give the moon an orange-colored tinge, either.

This cosmetic event is a rare "ring of fire" solar eclipse that creates the appearance of a flaming hole in the sky as the moon passes in front of the sun.

Yep, this thing is the real deal full eclipse that occurs when the moon blocks the sun in a manner that makes the only the edges of the solar corona visible.

More than 500 million people across the globe will be able to see this solar eclipse, granted that clouds don't block out the show from outer space.

Those watching the skies in Chile and Argentina will be the first to see the solar eclipse as it appears in the sky on Sunday morning.

The "ring of fire" will then make it's way across the South Atlantic Ocean, passing over Angola, before making it's final bow some between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The best viewing time is estimated to be shortly before 10 am, when the moon is expected to cover over 99 percent of the sun as it travels between South America and Africa.

If you're wondering where you need to be to get front row sets to this epic outer space show, the lower half of South America and the western and southern portions of Africa will offer the best views of the solar eclipse.

People viewing the eclipse from these parts of the world can expect to see a "hole in the sky" that is outlined by the glowing edges of the sun.

The memorizing event is expected to last for approximately 44 seconds.

Those watching the skies from areas outside the prime viewing zone may be able to catch a glimpse of a partial eclipse.

There is speculation that another cosmetic phenomenon known as "Bailey's Beads" could also occur when the sun shines it's powerful rays through the ruts on the surface of the moon.

Eclipses typically occur two to five times a year as the orbits of the Earth and moon block the sun, causing it to cast a shadow on the planet.

However, unlike the full eclipse that is expected to occur on Sunday, most eclipses are only partial.

If you're looking to get some next-level views of the show, there serval flights you can take to get an up-close view of the solar eclipse from the sky.

Or, you can get a pretty good view of the show without leaving solid ground by simply live streaming the eclipse online.

If all of this sounds like too much effort, you can catch the next solar eclipse on August 21 as it makes its way over the United States.

Citations: Look up! A stunning 'ring of fire' solar eclipse will appear on Sunday: Here's how to make sure you don't miss it (Daily Mail)