What is an Annular Solar Eclipse?

• A solar eclipse is witnessed when the moon is aligned between the Sun and Earth, blocking the light received by the Earth from the Sun.
• An annular solar eclipse, on the other hand, happens when the Moon is the farthest from the Earth, because of which, it looks smaller and does not block the entire view of the Sun creating a “ring of fire” effect.

What is the Summer Solstice?

• June 20 or the day of the summer solstice is characterised by a greater amount of energy received from the Sun.
• According to NASA, the amount of incoming energy the Earth received from the Sun on this day is 30 per cent higher at the North Pole than at the Equator.
• During the solstice, the Earth’s axis – around which the planet spins, completing one turn each day – is tilted in a way that the North Pole is tipped towards the Sun and the South Pole is away from it.