The first solar eclipse of 2026, commonly known as the “Ring of Fire,” has attracted global attention from astronomers and skywatchers, with Google unveiling a special animation feature to help users explore the phenomenon.

The tech giant has introduced the interactive tool to make the natural event easier to understand, continuing its tradition of highlighting major global moments through digital features.

To access the animation, users can open any browser and search for “solar eclipse” or “suraj grahan.” A graphic appears on the screen showing the Moon passing in front of the Sun, along with a highlighted view of the Sun’s outer layer, known as the corona.

Experts say a solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a straight line, causing the Moon to partially or fully block sunlight.

According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is farther from Earth and appears smaller, preventing it from fully covering the Sun. This creates a bright circular ring, giving rise to the “Ring of Fire” effect.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the eclipse was not visible in Pakistan and was fully observable only in Antarctica.

In Pakistan Standard Time, the eclipse began at 2:56 p.m., reached its peak at 5:12 p.m., and concluded at 7:28 p.m.

A scientific study published in the journal of the British Astronomical Association states that a total solar eclipse is visible at a single location on average once every 373 years, while an annular eclipse occurs roughly every 226 years. This indicates that annular eclipses are relatively more frequent.

Astronomers have warned that directly viewing a solar eclipse without protection can seriously damage eyesight. Experts advise using certified protective glasses during observation to prevent eye injury.

They added that while the eclipse is scientifically significant, digital tools like Google’s new feature are helping make such rare celestial events more accessible to the public.