annular eclipse

American

noun

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

annular eclipse British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

annular eclipse Scientific

See under eclipse

Etymology

Origin of annular eclipse

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

The skies did not fully cede to darkness as I watched the annular eclipse in the Hill Country town of Bandera on Saturday, but instead had just a slight slate blue tone.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2023

"With an annular eclipse because the sunlight isn't completely blocked out, you have to use eclipse glasses no matter where you are" said Dr. Fox.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023

March 15th was an annular eclipse of the Sun, for the observation of which I sent parties fully equipped to Bedford, Wellingborough, and Market Harborough.

From Autobiography of Sir George Biddell Airy by Airy, George Biddell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023