How Does it Happen?

Earth is revolving around the Sun in an elliptical orbit and Moon is revolving around Earth in an elliptical orbit as well. Now, ideally, we should be witnessing an eclipse every time we have a New Moon but that is not the case because of the slight tilt in the Moon’s orbit i.e., of over 5 degrees. Although, this is just a small tilt but is the reason why Moon does not cast a shadow covering the obscuring the Sun’s light on every New Moon. But on rare occasions, i.e., when Moon happens to be at the right position and close enough to Earth that its shadow falls perfectly on it, people present in that region witness a Total Solar Eclipse. Moreover, regions neighbouring the Total Eclipse region are also able to witness a Partial Eclipse due to a scientific phenomenon called ‘diffraction of light rays.’

Different Phases of Sun During an Eclipse

Phases of the eclipse can be broadly classified into two categories i.e., Partial Solar Eclipse and Total Solar Eclipse.

• Partial Solar Eclipse: It happens when Sun and Moon are not in the exact position and Moon is only partially able to cover the Sun. This phenomenon is visible from a larger portion of Earth. Moon’s Penumbra is responsible for the formation of Partial Eclipse.
• Total Solar Eclipse: It is a rather rarer form of the eclipse as, during this, Moon totally covers the Sun leading to the famous formations also called as Ring of Fire where a fainter solar corona is visible. Moon’s Umbra is what causes a Total Solar Eclipse. A total eclipse can only be seen from a very narrow track on Earth’s surface which is called ‘Path of Totality’.

Apart from these two, there are two other types of solar eclipse that are:

• Annular Eclipse: This is when the Sun and Moon fall in exactly the same line with Earth, but Moon being rather smaller than Sun, a much brighter Ring of Fire is visible also called ‘Annulus’.
• Hybrid Eclipse: It is when there is a shift between a Total Solar Eclipse and an Annular Eclipse. Some parts of Earth witness it as a total eclipse while some witness it as an annular eclipse. This is the rarest of all forms of an eclipse.

Do’s and Don’ts During Solar Eclipse

DO’s:

• Use special solar glasses or solar filter fitted telescopes and binoculars to look at the Sun.
• Use a pinhole camera to observe the phases of the eclipse.
• Use special UV filters to take photos of the Sun during an eclipse.
• Follow different phases of eclipse online on websites.

DON’Ts

• Do not stare directly at the Sun.
• Do not point your camera lens without UV filters at Sun for longer periods as the photosensor might get damaged by high-intensity sun rays.
• Do not use home-made filters like X-Ray films, sunglasses, or CDs to look at Sun as they do only lower the brightness of rays but do not degrees the intensity of rays coming from the Sun.

There is an activity guide by NASA which consists of fun activities and projects to be done at home during the eclipse.

Formation of Crescents on the Ground During Solar Eclipse

Superstitions Related to Eclipse in India

• Temples are shut and it is prohibited to touch gods and idols are washed with water, Ganga Jal (water) to be specific.
• People are advised not to consume any food. Even cooking during the eclipse is forbidden. People even leave tulsi on cooked food items to prevent it from spoiling during the eclipse.
• People take bath as soon as the eclipse is over to wash the evil spirits away.
• People are prohibited from urinating, defecating, eating, and even sexual intercourse during the eclipse.
• In some parts of India, it is believed that pregnant women are most vulnerable during an eclipse hence they are prohibited from handling sharp objects during that period.

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