Getting to Know Various Solar Eclipses that Happen on Earth

Ilustrasi Gerhana Matahari.
Sumber :
  • Humas Universitas Brawijaya.

VIVA – A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, either partially or completely. Depending on how the celestial bodies are aligned, eclipses provide unusual and interesting views of the Sun or Moon.

A Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth that blocks some or all of the Sun's light in some areas. This only happens occasionally, as the Moon does not orbit in the same plane as the Sun and Earth. The time when they are aligned is known as eclipse season, which occurs twice a year.

Except for the momentary moment of totality during a Total Solar Eclipse, where observers should always use eclipse glasses or a safe alternative solar observation method, such as a pinhole projector to view the Sun. 

This includes when watching a partial or annular eclipse, before or after totality for a Total Solar Eclipse. The following are the types of Solar Eclipses as quoted from NASA's Solar System site on Monday. 

Ilustrasi Gerhana Matahari.

Photo :
  • www.pixabay.com/sandid

Total Solar Eclipse

Gerhana Matahari Total di La Silla Observatory, Chile

Photo :
  • ESO/R. Lucchesi

A Total Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, covering the face of the Sun completely. People who are in the center of the Moon's shadow when it hits the Earth will experience a total eclipse. 

The sky will become dark as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people in the path of a Total Solar Eclipse can see the Sun's corona, the outer atmosphere that is normally blocked by the Sun's bright face. 

This type of eclipse is the most anticipated because viewers can momentarily remove their eclipse glasses (which are not the same as regular sunglasses) for a brief period when the Moon is completely blocking the Sun. The next Total Solar Eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024.

Annular Solar Eclipse

An Annular Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. But it takes place when the Sun is at or near its farthest point from Earth. 

Because the Moon is farther from the Earth, it will appear smaller than the Sun and 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. The next Annular Eclipse will occur on October 14, 2023.
 
Partial Solar Eclipse

ilustrasi Gerhana Matahari Sebagian

Photo :
  • www.pixabay.com/sandid

This phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. But the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned, only part of the Sun appears to be covered, forming a crescent.

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During a total or annular Solar Eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon's inner shadow will see a Partial Solar Eclipse.

Hybrid Solar Eclipse

Silk-based Shroud Wrapping Corpse in Space

Because the Earth's surface is curved, sometimes an eclipse can shift between annular and total as the Moon's shadow moves across the Earth's sphere. This is called a Hybrid Solar Eclipse.

Hybrid Solar Eclipses occur when the Moon's orbit is slightly farther from Earth, so the size of Earth's natural satellite appears smaller than the size of the Sun. The last event in April consisted of two different eclipses: a Ring Solar Eclipse, followed by a Total Solar Eclipse, then a Ring Solar Eclipse again.

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4 September 2024