'Ring of Fire' eclipse visible from China to Texas

Two men sit on a bridge to watch an annular solar eclipse in Zhengzhou, Henan province, January 15, 2010. The longest, ring-like solar eclipse of the millennium started on Friday, with astronomers saying the Maldives was the best place to view the phenomenon that will not happen again for over 1,000 years. (REUTERS/Donald Chan)

Millions of people in the western United States and some parts of Asia will get to witness the sun transform into a ring of fire.

The event is an annular solar eclipse. It occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking everything but a bright ring of light.

Early risers in parts of China, Taiwan and Japan may catch a glimpse, weather permitting, around dawn on Monday.

The eclipse will be visible Sunday afternoon over parts of Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Much of the rest of the country will see a partial solar eclipse, but the East Coast will miss out. Some three dozen national parks in the eclipse path are planning special events.

This type of solar eclipse has not been visible in the U.S. since 1994.

(Agencies)