Solar Eclipse Pictures: Images From Sunday's Astronomical Event (PHOTOS)

LOOK: Pictures From Sunday's Solar Eclipse

On Sunday, lucky skywatchers in parts of Asia, the Pacific and the western U.S. were treated to a rare annular solar eclipse.

It was the first annular eclipse visible in the U.S. in nearly 18 years, according to NASA, and National Geographic reports that it will be more than 10 years before another annular eclipse is visible from the mainland U.S.

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS

Unlike a total eclipse, which occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the Sun, appearing to block the entire star, an annular eclipse covers only part of the Sun, producing what looks like a giant "ring of fire."

Photographers in the path of annularity of the eclipse, from China to the western U.S, readied their cameras and took some incredible photos of the astronomical event.

Click here for The Huffington Post's live coverage of the 2012 annular eclipse.

LOOK: Photos from Sunday's eclipse. Click to submit your own:

Before You Go

May 20, 2012 Annular Solar Eclipse

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot