Photos: NASA Astronaut Shares 'Super Cool View' of Annular Solar Eclipse From Space

The rare annular solar eclipse took place on 21 June, primarily visible in parts of Asia and Africa. The phenomenon is also known as a "ring of fire", as the moon blocks the sun in a way that leaves the star's outer edge visible as a bright ring of light.

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy tweeted some fascinating images straight from orbit, showing an amazing view of the annular solar eclipse. According to the astronaut, the crew caught the angle just right as the ISS passed over China in the morning. 

Cassidy noted that this was a "pretty neat way to wake up on Father's Day morning" and congratulated Twitter followers on the holiday.

Super cool view of the Annular Solar Eclipse which passed by our starboard side as we flew over China this morning. A pretty neat way to wake up on Father's Day morning! Hoping all of the dads in the world have a wonderful day! #Eclipse #FathersDay #HappyFathersDay2020 pic.twitter.com/vJx5yOFAcb

— Chris Cassidy (@Astro_SEAL) June 21, 2020

​The partial solar eclipse took place on 21 June. Some parts of Asia and Africa, including China, India, the Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia and southern Pakistan, had the best view of the rare natural phenomenon of the moon blocking the center of the sun and forming a shining circle known colloquially as the "ring of fire".