A composite image of the October 2005 annular solar eclipse. If a solar eclipse happens when the Moon is at a distant point in its orbit, an annular solar eclipse occurs and the corona (revealed in a total eclipse) remains hidden due to the brightness of the solar ring. If a solar eclipse happens when the Moon is at a distant point in its orbit, an annular solar eclipse occurs and the corona (revealed in a total eclipse) remains hidden due to the brightness of the solar ring.