Solar eclipses can be confusing.
Almost everyone has heard of a total solar eclipse — also known as a total eclipse of the sun — but it's often mixed up with a "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse ("annular" means "ring"). Both types of solar eclipses are described by astronomers as central solar eclipses, but the exact geometrical differences between them are slight. However, those differences have a huge effect on what observers see, feel and experience. While one of the eclipse types can be described merely as a beautiful sight the other is an awe-inspiring multi-sensory experience.
