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ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE

26th September, 2023 Geography

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Facts about Annular Solar Eclipse

  • It is also known as the "ring of fire".
  • This eclipse occurs when the moon is at or near the farthest point in its orbit from Earth.
  • In the sky, the moon seems smaller than the sun and does not completely hide it, providing an eye-catching visual impact.
  • The moon appears as a dark disk overlaid on the sun's larger, brighter face, generating a dazzling ring known as the "ring of fire."
  • This year's eclipse will cross various nations in North, Central, and South America.

Types of solar eclipse

  • Solar eclipses are classified into three categories.
  • A partial solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth are not perfectly aligned.
  • Total solar eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth must be in a straight line.
  • An annular solar eclipse is a form of total solar eclipse. It happens when the sun, moon, and earth are all on the same plane and not just in a straight line.
  • The moon must also be farther away from the Earth to not entirely obscure the disc of the sun, resulting in a narrow band of light surrounding the black colour of the moon, allowing the ring of fire to be visible.
  • As a result, it is also known as the Ring of fire eclipse.
  • The distance between the Earth and the moon at the moment of the eclipse can dictate the type of eclipse that will take place.
  • The distance between the earth and the moon is always changing due to the egg-shaped elliptical orbit of the moon.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements:

  1. Solar eclipse occurs during a new moon.
  2. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon.
  3. During a total solar eclipse, the entire sun is invisible from all parts of the earth.

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Answer: A