Attention Space Enthusiasts, Solar Eclipse is on 8th April 2024!

For the layman, it is a precarious situation about what to expect after the solar eclipse, having experienced extreme heat waves this summer. A solar eclipse for space enthusiasts is a thrilling moment where they enjoy watching the spectacle in the sky. However, one thing is common with both laymen and space enthusiasts: thinking about how big this solar eclipse is and how it will impact us as people.

What happens in a solar eclipse?

The sizes of the three planetary bodies are different- The diameter of the Sun is approximately 109 times greater than that of the Earth, while the Earth's diameter is roughly 3.67 times larger than that of the Moon.

For our planet Earth, the sun is the source of energy and light. The solar eclipse is a phenomenon where the moon, as part of its path rotating around and revolving around the earth, comes in between the sun and earth and obscures the view for us.

Types of Solar eclipses

We can experience either a Total, Annular, Partial or Hybrid solar eclipse based on where we are situated on planet Earth during the eclipse period.

Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, completely obscuring the Sun's face. Those situated within the central path of the Moon's shadow as it falls on Earth will witness a total eclipse. During this phenomenon, the sky will darken, resembling either dawn or dusk. On 8th of April 2024, a total solar eclipse is experienced across North America

Partial Solar Eclipse

During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, but their alignment is not perfect. Consequently, only a portion of the Sun will seem obscured, resulting in a crescent-shaped appearance.

Annular Solar Eclipse

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, typically when it's at or near its farthest distance from Earth. Due to the increased distance, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun, resulting in the Sun not being completely covered, creating a ring-like effect known as the "ring of fire."

Hybrid solar eclipse

Due to the curvature of Earth's surface, a solar eclipse may transition between being annular and total as the Moon's shadow traverses the globe. This phenomenon is referred to as a hybrid solar eclipse.

What happens at the beginning and end of the solar eclipse?

The diamond-ring phenomenon appears both at the onset and conclusion of totality in a total solar eclipse. When the final rays of sunlight filter through the lunar valleys, and the delicate corona around the sun starts to emerge, it creates the illusion of a ring adorned with sparkling diamonds.

Can we watch the solar eclipse?

Viewing the partially eclipsed sun through a camera lacking a specifically designed solar filter, as well as through binoculars or a telescope, is unsafe, and leads to severe eye injury. An exception to this rule exists during the brief period of total solar eclipse.