SOLAR ECLIPSE

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement is not intended.

Context: 

An annular solar eclipse was visible in parts of South America on October 2, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii. 

Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves in the middle of the Earth and the Sun. 

The Moon blocks the light of the Sun, either fully or partially, which casts a huge shadow on some parts of the world.

Frequency of solar eclipse

A solar eclipse is witnessed only during the new moon — when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of Earth. 

A new moon occurs about 29.5 days because that is how long it takes the Moon to orbit Earth. This, however, does not mean that a solar eclipse happens every month. It takes place only between two to five times annually. 

It is because the Moon does not orbit Earth in the same plane as the Earth orbits the Sun. 

The Moon is tilted by about five degrees with respect to Earth. 

Types of Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People located in the centre of the Moon’s shadow when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse. 

Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. 

Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk, creating what looks like a ring around the Moon. 

Partial Solar Eclipse

A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. 

Only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape. During a total or annular solar eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse.

Hybrid Solar Eclipse

Because Earth's surface is curved, sometimes an eclipse can shift between annular and total as the Moon’s shadow moves across the globe. This is called a hybrid solar eclipse.

Lunar Eclipses Lunar eclipses occur at the full moon phase. When Earth is positioned precisely between the Moon and Sun, Earth’s shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it and sometimes turning the lunar surface a striking red over the course of a few hours.  Read more about it detail here: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/lunar-eclipse-26#:~:text=A%20lunar%20eclipse%20(Chandra%20Grahan)%20is%20an%20astronomical%20event%20in,to%20the%20Earth's%20orbital%20plane.

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/annular-solar-eclipse-9596368/

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/types/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about the “Solar Eclipse”:  It occurs when Earth is positioned precisely between the Moon and Sun The solar eclipse happens every month An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. How many of the above statements is/are correct? A.Only one B.Only two C. All Three D.None Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect:  Lunar Eclipses Lunar eclipses occur at the full moon phase. When Earth is positioned precisely between the Moon and Sun, Earth’s shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it and sometimes turning the lunar surface a striking red over the course of a few hours.  Statement 2 is incorrect:  Solar Eclipse A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves in the middle of the Earth and the Sun.  The Moon blocks the light of the Sun, either fully or partially, which casts a huge shadow on some parts of the world. Frequency of solar eclipse A solar eclipse is witnessed only during the new moon — when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of Earth.  A new moon occurs about 29.5 days because that is how long it takes the Moon to orbit Earth. This, however, does not mean that a solar eclipse happens every month. It takes place only between two to five times annually.  It is because the Moon does not orbit Earth in the same plane as the Earth orbits the Sun.  The Moon is tilted by about five degrees with respect to Earth.  Statement 3 is correct:  An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk, creating what looks like a ring around the Moon.