Watching a total solar eclipse is a mesmerizing experience, with the complete darkness lasting up to 7 minutes and 32 seconds. Whether you’re witnessing a partial eclipse that stretches about an hour or an annular eclipse lasting up to 10 minutes, the duration varies based on where you are and the type of eclipse you’re observing.
What are the different types of solar eclipses?
There are four types of solar eclipse: total, partial, annular, and hybrid.
A total solar eclipse happens when the sun is entirely covered by the moon, which occurs only during a new moon when they align. A partial eclipse occurs when the sun is only partly covered.
An annular eclipse happens when the moon partially covers the sun, creating a visible ring of sunlight. A hybrid eclipse shifts between annular and total, changing its appearance as it progresses.
What are the stages of a total solar eclipse?
There are five phases in a total solar eclipse:
1. Partial Eclipse
At first contact, the moon appears on the sun’s disk. It looks like the moon takes a bite out of the sun.
2. Beginning of the Total Eclipse
The sun is fully covered by the moon. If you’re in the Moon’s umbral path, you could see the diamond ring effect and Baily’s beads just before totality.
3. Maximum or Total Eclipse
This is the peak of the total eclipse, with the moon nearest to the center of the sun’s disk.
The moon totally covers the sun’s disk, causing it to get very dark outside. You might even catch a glimpse of the sun’s corona, the outermost part of its atmosphere. The stunning “ring of fire” is also visible during this phase.
4. Total eclipse finishes
The total eclipse ends, and the moon begins moving away from the sun. Those in the umbral path might see the diamond ring effect and Baily’s beads.
5. Partial Eclipse finishes
The partial eclipse ends once the moon fully moves away from the sun’s disk.
How often do solar eclipses occur?
There are typically 2 to 5 solar eclipses per year. They happen when the moon aligns with the sun and earth in a line, casting a shadow on earth. Although solar eclipses occur about every 18 months, they aren’t visible from all places on Earth.