How Eclipses Happen

Do you ever wonder what happens during a solar eclipse? Solar eclipse is a natural occurrence. This happens each time the moon passes through the space between the sun and earth. Because of this, the sun is either totally or partially hidden. The phenomena take place during a new moon whenever the sun and moon are in juxtaposition as viewed from the earth. Although a maximum of four eclipses could occur in each year, total solar eclipse rarely happens in any location since every eclipse totality only happen at the relatively small area of the moon’s umbra. A total solar eclipse is an amazing natural phenomenon and several people even travel to remote places in order observe one.

In 1999 a total eclipse took place in Europe. The event helped in increasing the public’s awareness of such a spectacular phenomenon and resulted to a greater number of pilgrims who journeyed specifically to witness the annular eclipse in 2005. A forthcoming solar eclipse is expected this year on August 1, 2008.

During the ancient times and even in existing cultures of today, solar eclipses are being attributed to supernatural reasons. In fact there are a number of people who are frightened by its occurrence. As the sun disappears in the middle of the day, it causes the broad daylight to somehow be obscured. In a matter of minutes, the sky darkens just like that at daybreak. The reason behind this is due to their inadequate knowledge of the astronomical explanation of the phenomenon.

Four Types of Solar Eclipses:

1.     Total Eclipse

This kind of eclipse occurs whenever the moon completely covers the sun from earth’s view. The intense bright disk of the sun is being replaced by the moon’s dark silhouette while the faint corona is still visible.

2.     Annular Eclipse

This is another type of eclipse which occurs when the sun and moon are exactly aligned. It would appear like the moon has a crown surrounding it when in fact, it is the bright ring of the sun that cannot be fully covered by the moon’s relatively small size.

3.     Hybrid Eclipse

This type is an intermediate between total and annular eclipse. In some areas the eclipse is experienced as a solar eclipse while in some parts it is just annular eclipse.

4.     Partial Eclipse

This type happens when the sun and moon are not exactly aligned with the moon partially obscuring the sun.

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