The total solar eclipse on Dec. 14, 2020 will cross a narrow strip of South America, where travel restrictions will bar "eclipse chasers" from seeing the rare event in person.

During the peak, that will actually shorten to just over 30 seconds. How to watch Although this isn't a total solar eclipse, you still need to watch the eclipse using safety measures.

The most recent solar eclipse occurred on June 21, 2020. This annular, or " ring of fire," eclipse didn't fully block out the sun, but nevertheless, it dazzled spectators across parts of Africa ...

The next total solar eclipse won't come until December 4, 2021. Luckily 2020 still has one last celestial phenomenon in store: The great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21.

Planning for the December 2020 total solar eclipse was especially sporadic due to fluctuating travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To get yourself pumped for future events, be sure to look back at 2020's rare "ring of fire" eclipse from June. That and the total eclipse were some of the biggest solar events of the year.

The only total solar eclipse of 2020 occurred Monday and was visible in full across a small section of the South Pacific, Chile, Argentina and the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Solar eclipses occur about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse, Young said. There was a lunar eclipse on June 5 and the next one occurs on July 5. Where to see it ...

The only total solar eclipse of 2020 arrived Monday. And some lucky sky gazers in the world's southern hemisphere witnessed what NASA describes as "one of nature's most awe-inspiring sights." ...

A solar eclipse is pictured during a cloudy day, in Villarrica, Chile December 14, 2020. STRINGER / REUTERS During the brief period of darkness, only the lights of cell phones were visible.

Related: Total solar eclipse 2020: Here's how to watch it online This NASA map shows the region of visibility for the path of totality of the total solar eclipse of Dec. 14, 2020. (Image credit: NASA) ...

Solar eclipses occur about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse, Young said. There was a lunar eclipse on June 5 and the next one occurs on July 5. Where to see it ...