Solar Eclipse :

Let’s understand about what is an Eclipse-An eclipse isthe partial or complete interception of the light of one component of a binary star by the other.The term eclipse is most often used to describe either a solar eclipse, when the Moon's shadow crosses the Earth's surface, or a lunar eclipse, when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow.There are two types of eclipses that occur: lunar eclipse, the blocking of the Moon by Earth's shadow, and solar eclipse, the obstruction of the Sun by the Moon.

How & Why Solar Eclipses Happen[VB1] 

We will talk about solar eclipse here. Last solar eclipse of the year 2021 is coming up in 4 December,2021. A solar eclipse takes place when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase of new moon (Amavasya), when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth’s surface. 

The fact that an eclipse can occur at all is a amazing alignment of celestial body mechanics and time. Since the moon formed about 4.5 billion years ago, it has been gradually moving away from Earth (by about 1.6 inches, or 4 centimeters per year). Right now the moon is at the perfect distance to appear in our sky exactly the same size as the sun, and therefore block it out. But this is not always true.

These Eclipses are great hide and seek game of celestial bodies. The sun's 1390473 km (approximately) diameter is fully 400 times greater than that of our moon, which measures just about 3476.183 km. But the moon also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun and as a result, when the orbital planes align in such a way that the new moon can completely cover the disk of the sun. 

There are two major types of shadows: Umbra and Penumbra. The umbra is that part of the shadow where all sunlight is blocked out. The umbra takes the shape of a darkcone. It is surrounded by the penumbra, a lighter, funnel-shaped shadow from which sunlight is partially hidden. During a total solar eclipse, the moon casts its umbra upon Earth's surface; that shadow can go through a third of the way around the planet in just a few hours. Those who are lucky enough to be positioned in the direct path of theumbra will see the sun's disk diminish into a crescent as the moon's dark shadow rushes toward them across the landscape.

 Four Types of Solar Eclipse[VB2] 

There are many types of Solar Eclipses. It all depends on the area of  Sun's disk being eclipsed, Moon’s distance from the earth and also depends on which part the Earth,  the Moon's shadow falls on. Let us know about the eclipses in brief.

  • A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon only partially hides the Sun's disk and casts only its penumbra on the Earth.

 

  • An annular solar eclipse takes place when the Moon's disk is not big enough to cover the entire disk of the Sun, and the Sun's outer edges remain visible to form a ring of fire in the sky. 

 

  • A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely covers the Sun. It can take place only when the Moon is near perigee, the point of the Moon's orbit closest to the Earth. 

 

  • A hybrid solar eclipse, also known as an annular-total eclipse, is the rarest type. It occurs when the same eclipse changes from an annular to a total solar eclipse, and/or vice versa, along the eclipse's path.

 

It is really important to know how to observe a solar eclipse as it is not easy like observing Lunar eclipse. There are certain things that we need to keep in mind while observing solar eclipse.

How to Protect Your Eyes During the Solar Eclipse[VB3] 

First, never look directly at the Sun, eclipsed or otherwise, without any protective eyewear. The Sun’s UV radiation can burn the retinas in your eyes leading to their permanent damage or even blindness.The best way to safely watch a total solar eclipse is to wear solar view gogglesor to project an image of the eclipsed Sun using a pinhole projector. There are many interesting astronomy camps that are organized by SPACE India that help the astronomy enthusiasts to observe the Solar eclipse and also enhance your technical knowledge about such phenomenon.

 Solar Eclipse Dates & Location[VB4] 

There is a previous annular solar eclipse that took place on June 10, 2021. A portion of northern Greenland, parts of nearby Baffin Bay, eastern Hudson Bay and northeastern Russia will sit in the path of the "ring of fire". You'll have to travel a long distance to Antarctica to see the total phase of this total solar eclipse. Parts of southern Africa, including locations in South Africa and Namibia, will see a partial solar eclipse, if the weather permits. Next solar eclipse after that will be visible next year on April 30, 2022. Solar Eclipse (Partial) will be visible in South/West South America, Pacific, Atlantic, and Antarctica. The Sun will be darkened for 1 minute and 54 seconds by a dramatic total eclipse covering a very broad path, 419 km wide at maximum. This will be a sight worth seeing, and will be visible from Antarctica.

Solar eclipses have caused fear, inspired curiosity, and have been associated with myths, legends, and many superstitions throughout history. Even today, an eclipse of the Sun is considered a bad omen in many cultures. After knowing the whole science behind it, you can clearly see that it is nothing more than a perfect alignment of celestial bodies

Make your experience worthwhile by observing this year’s last solar eclipse by telescopes along with solar view goggles. If you have not bought a telescope yet you can go to SPACE Arcade website- https://spacearcade.in/ and order one for yourself. If astronomy is something that really intrigues you then join Astronomy camps and get yourself into an amazing world of Astronomy. Be ready for upcoming Eclipse.

Happy eclipses