Annular Eclipse Over Myanmar . ... The event on January 15 was actually an annular solar eclipse, and the hole was really Earth's Moon, an object whose dark half may appear even darker when compared to the tremendously bright Sun . The Moon was too far from Earth to create a total solar eclipse , but instead left well placed observers with a bright surrounding circle called the ring of fire . ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...