TAG: GS- 1: GEOGRAPHY
CONTEXT: An annular solar eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024, and will be visible in parts of South America, while a partial solar eclipse will be seen in Antarctica, North America, parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Hawaii. This solar eclipse, however, will not be visible in India.
EXPLANATION:
What is a Solar Eclipse?
- A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth. Depending on how much of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, we observe different types of solar eclipses.
Types of Solar Eclipses:
1. Total Solar Eclipse: It occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, plunging the area under its shadow into darkness. People in this path can also see the Sun’s corona (outer atmosphere), which is normally obscured by the Sun’s brightness.
2. Annular Solar Eclipse: It happens when the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun. As a result, a bright ring, often called the “ring of fire,” remains visible around the Moon.
3. Partial Solar Eclipse: It takes place when the Moon covers only a portion of the Sun, creating a crescent-shaped Sun. This type is the most common solar eclipse.
4. Hybrid Solar Eclipse: It is the rarest form, which shifts between an annular and a total eclipse as the Moon’s shadow moves across the Earth. Some locations witness a total solar eclipse, while others see an annular eclipse.
How Often Do Solar Eclipses Occur?
- Solar eclipses occur only during the new moon phase when the Moon and the Sun align on the same side of Earth. While a new moon happens every 5 days, solar eclipses do not happen monthly due to the 5-degree tilt of the Moon’s orbit. As a result, solar eclipses occur two to five times a year. Solar eclipses can only happen when the new moon crosses one of the nodes—points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the Earth’s orbital plane.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/annular-solar-eclipse-9596368/
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