"Ring of Fire" solar eclipse

solar eclipse, tokyo, japan — AP Photo/Toru Takahashi

An annular solar eclipse is seen in the sky over Tokyo Monday, May 21, 2012. Millions of Asians watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies early Monday. The annular eclipse, in which the moon passes in front of the sun leaving only a golden ring around its edges, was visible to wide areas across the continent.

solar eclipse, beijing, china — AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

A partial annular solar eclipse is seen over Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012.

Chinese youths, exercising outside the National Center for the Performing Arts, watch their friend run as a partial annular solar eclipse is seen over Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012.

A partial annular solar eclipse is seen through construction scaffoldings in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012.

A dog reacts to a photographer as a partial annular solar eclipse is seen near the headquarters of China's Central Television station in Beijing, China, Monday, May 21, 2012.

solar eclipse, Seoul, South Korea — AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

A South Korean astronomy student uses special sunglasses to observe an annular solar eclipse in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 21, 2012.

An annular solar eclipse is seen through special sunglasses in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 21, 2012.

A South Korean astronomy student uses a telescope to observe an annular solar eclipse in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 21, 2012.

The moon slides across the sun, showing a blazing halo of light, during an annular eclipse at a waterfront park in Yokohama, Japan, May 21, 2012.

The moon slides across the sun, showing a blazing halo of light, during an annular solar eclipse at a waterfront park in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012.

People watch an annular solar eclipse at a waterfront park in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012.

A woman reacts as she views an annular solar eclipse at a waterfront park in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012.

Annular Solar Eclipse is observed on May 21, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.

Peolpe stand and observe the Annular Solar Eclipse on May 21, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.

solar eclipse, japan — TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/GettyImages

People photograph the annular solar eclipse in Fujinomiya city, Shizuoka prefecture, some 150-kilometre west of Tokyo, on May 21, 2012.

solar eclipse, Philippines — AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

An annular solar eclipse is partially seen at sunrise Monday, May 21, 2012, from the coastal township of Gumaca, Quezon province, 116 miles southeast of Manila, Philippines.

Motorists pause to take a look at an annular solar eclipse using a welder's glass and a solar filter at sunrise Monday May 21, 2012, at Gumaca township Quezon province, 116 miles southeast of Manila, Philippines.

solar eclipse, Manila, Philippines — AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

An annular solar eclipse occurs as the moon passes between the earth and the sun as partially seen at sunrise Monday, May 21, 2012, from coastal township of Gumaca, Quezon province, 116 miles southeast of Manila, Philippines.

Hikers watch an annular eclipse from Papago Park in Phoenix May 20, 2012.

West Mitten, left, and East Mitten buttes are silhouetted against the last light from the setting sun after the Ring of Fire eclipse, Sunday, May 20, 2012, in Monument Valley, Ariz. The western United States watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies.

AP Photo/The Albuquerque Journal, Greg Sorber

The annular eclipse seen from Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The western United States watched as a rare "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies.

AP Photo/The Albuquerque Journal, Morgan Petroski

The "ring of fire" solar eclipse, Sunday, May 20, 2012 is seen in Albuqeurque. The western United States watched as a "ring of fire" eclipse crossed their skies.

High school students watch the annular solar eclipse in Fujisawa, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012. Millions of early risers in Asia turned their attention skyward to view a rare "ring of fire" eclipse as it crossed their skies Monday morning.

School students watch an annular solar eclipse on their school playground in Kaizuka, Osaka, western Japan Monday, May 21, 2012.

High school students watch the annular solar eclipse in Fujisawa, near Tokyo, Monday, May 21, 2012. Millions of early risers in Asia turned their attention skyward to view a rare "ring of fire" eclipse as it crossed their skies Monday morning.