On May 20, people in the western United States will be able to spot an for the first time in 18 years. On Sunday afternoon, the moon will pass in front of the sun, covering it by 94 percent and creating the visual illusion of a “ring of fire.” The Hinode spacecraft is the only sun-observing satellite that will be able to watch the eclipse. Scientists hope to use the satellite’s images to study the outer atmosphere of the sun, normally hidden by the sun’s brilliance.
Read more at