Occasionally we see an annular solar eclipse, with an annulus (ring) of the Sun surrounding the Moon. How do the conditions that produce such an eclipse differ from the conditions that produce a total solar eclipse during which the Moon is seen to just cover the Sun?

Key difference: Moon is more away from our planet during annular solar eclipse.

Explanation:

Thus the moon has an appearance being smaller in the night sky therefore the 'annulus' or 'ring of fire' is seen. The moon doesn't fit exactly over the sun, but when it does; it is a total solar eclipse. When the moon is too far from our planet, it results in its orbit also being further away from the sun, even when the moon does pass directly over the sun thus - annular. Solar eclipses happe during new moons.