A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, thereby blocking out its light. This results in an apparent ring of fire, called an annular eclipse, because we see only a thin ring around the dark shadow of the moon as it moves across our planet’s sky. For about two minutes (at least for people who are located in the path of totality), you’ll be able to see this stunning event take place before your very eyes!
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks some of its light from reaching people on Earth.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks some of its light from reaching people on Earth.
The last time there was a total solar eclipse visible from North America was in 1979, but another one will happen on August 21, 2017!
This celestial phenomenon is rare because it requires the alignment of three distinct bodies: Earth, Moon and Sun. When this happens at peak time for viewing–when all three are exactly aligned–you’ll notice that only part of your surroundings appear dark while everything else remains bright as day. This is called totality; it lasts only minutes before everything returns to normal again once more.
When there’s an eclipse, you can see first contact between the moon and sun (also called “first contact”) and last contact between the two (also called “third contact”). It will happen in those places where you’ll be able to view the solar eclipse.
First contact: When there’s an eclipse, you can see first contact between the moon and sun (also called “first contact”) and last contact between the two (also called “third contact”). It will happen in those places where you’ll be able to view the solar eclipse.
Last contact: This is when the moon completely covers up all of our star’s light, making it look like there are two crescents on opposite sides of each other. If this happens at night, it’ll look like a full moon but with no stars around it!
People who are looking at the sun directly without special glasses or other protection may damage their eyes permanently.
The safest way to watch a solar eclipse is by using special glasses or other protection.
If you’re planning on taking photos of the sun during an eclipse with your camera, make sure that it has been modified with a solar filter before doing so. These filters can be found online and at your local camera shop.
The next total solar eclipse will occur on April 8th, 2024 and will be visible from Honolulu to Miami in North America, followed by another total solar eclipse on August 12th, 2045 that will be visible from Buenos Aires to Santiago in South America and Europe.