The giant celestial bodies, specifically the Earth, Moon and Sun, align perfectly four to seven times a year to create a cosmic-scale dark spectacle known as a solar eclipse. The terms Surya Grahan (solar eclipse) and Chandra Grahan (solar eclipse) are commonly used to refer to these eclipses, depending on the alignment. However, these two eclipses are divided into many smaller types.
There are different types of solar and lunar eclipses. The alignment of the planets and their separation from each other determine these types or groups.
Solar Eclipse 2023: Date, time in India, Where and how to watch rare hybrid Surya Grahan live?
Types of Surya Grahan
The Moon’s alignment with the Earth and the Sun, as well as its distance from the Earth, determine the type of solar eclipse the public can see.
- Total solar eclipse
- Hybrid eclipse
- Partial eclipse
- Annular solar eclipse
From left to right are total solar eclipses, annular solar eclipses and partial solar eclipses. Credit: Total solar eclipse (left): NASA/MSFC/Joseph Matus; annular solar eclipse (center): NASA/Bill Dunford; partial solar eclipse (right): NASA/Bill Ingalls
Total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s surface as it moves in front of the Earth. It was only seen by people in the Moon’s shadow when it hit Earth. The sky will be overcast like at dawn or dusk.
Annular solar eclipse
When the Moon is at or near its furthest point from Earth and passes in front, blocking the Sun’s light, an annular solar eclipse occurs. Because of its greater distance from Earth, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely obscure it. As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk resting on top of a larger, brighter disk, giving the impression that the Moon is surrounded by a circle.
Partial eclipse
When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the three celestial bodies are not aligned, a partial solar eclipse occurs. The sun appears to be partially obscured, shaped like a crescent. People outside the Moon’s inner shadow will experience a partial eclipse during a total or annular eclipse.
Hybrid eclipse
The curved shape of the Earth’s surface causes a number of annular and total solar eclipses to occur alternately. This condition is called a hybrid eclipse.
Chandra Grahan type
A lunar eclipse, also known as the Chandra Grahan period, occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow and turns dark.
- Total solar eclipse
- Partial lunar eclipse
- Penumbral lunar eclipse
Source: The Moon in Motion (NASA)
Partial lunar eclipse
During a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon passes only slightly past Earth’s umbra because the Sun, Earth, and Moon are not exactly aligned. The shadow moves in and out of the frame, never completely covering the Moon. This type of astronomical event is called a Partial Solar Eclipse.
Total solar eclipse
When the moon and sun are on exactly opposite sides of the planet, a total lunar eclipse will take place. In this situation, the Moon enters the umbra or the inner region of the Earth’s shadow. The Moon’s surface receives a certain amount of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere and is dimly illuminated.
Penumbral lunar eclipse
The moon passes through Earth’s penumbra, or the pale outer region of its shadow, during a penumbral lunar eclipse. This time, the Moon’s fading is so subtle that it may be difficult to observe it.
The first solar eclipse of the year will take place on April 20. This will be a hybrid eclipse. Meanwhile, the next solar eclipse of 2023 will fall on October 14 and two lunar eclipses of the year will be on May 5-6 and October 28-29.
Difference between solar and lunar eclipses, know about solar and lunar eclipses
Source: nasa.gov
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn