Stunning pictures capture ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse affecting half a billion people in South America and Africa

The spectacular solar eclipse was visible to more than half a billion people across the world, first in Chile and Argentina, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Daily Mail Online.

These stunning pictures from Sao Paulo, Brazil show the moon coming between the Earth and the sun, blocking most of its light save for a ‘ring of fire’ around the moon.

The spectacle was visible to more than half a billion people across the world, first in Chile and Argentina before moving across the South Atlantic Ocean to Africa.

The moment of greatest eclipse occurred midway between the two continents at just before 10am ET (3pm GMT) when the moon covered more than 99 per cent of the sun.

The eclipse will finish at 5.35pm GMT on Sunday in southern Africa – between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.