The last solar eclipse of the year is Christmas evening. Here’s how to watch

By CNN

Published December 26, 2019 5:56 AM

Consider it a Christmas gift from the universe to the world: a solar eclipse, the perfect ending to the holiday.

This annular solar eclipse — when the moon covers the sun’s center, leaving a “ring of fire” visible against the night sky — won’t be visible from North America, though, according to timeanddate.com.

It will, however, be visible from parts of Indonesia, southern India, Oman and Saudi Arabia, timeanddate.com says. And if you’re not in those places? No worries — live streams are available across YouTube, from hosts such as Slooh, Tharulowa Digital and CosmoSapiens.

Though the full eclipse will occur early the day after Christmas for those able to see it, that translates into 10:34 p.m. on Christmas day on the East Coast and 7:34 p.m. on the West. The partial eclipse is set to begin about an hour prior.

For those in Asia, it will already be December 26. The full eclipse is set to begin at 1:22 p.m. in Singapore; 9:26 a.m. in Kozhikode, India; 9:33 a.m. in Jaffna, Sri Lanka; and 6:34 a.m. in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.

All of which means you can finish off your holiday celebration by the fire, with a cup of hot cocoa and a stream of the solar eclipse. Or, if you’re lucky enough to see it in real life, maybe with a cup of coffee. Either way, the next one isn’t until June 2020, so you might as well enjoy it.

Merry Christmas!