SOLAR ECLIPSE -
GEOGRAPHY
News: When Is The Next Total Solar
Eclipse, And Where Will It Be Seen?
What's in the news?
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A celestial dance of cosmic shadows, a solar
eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon that has fascinated humanity for
millennia.
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It occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring the
sun’s light.
Key takeaways:
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The next full solar eclipse, also known as a total
solar eclipse, is an eagerly anticipated event for both professional
astronomers and casual skywatchers alike.
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The upcoming total solar eclipse is set to occur on
August 12, 2026. This rare event
will cast a shadow over parts of the globe, offering a unique spectacle to
those situated along its path.
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The most recent event of such a spectacle that
graced the skies was on April 8, 2024,
when the eclipse traversed North
America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Solar Eclipse:
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A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between
the Sun and Earth, causing the Sun’s light to be fully or partially blocked in
certain areas on Earth.
Types of Solar Eclipse:
1. Total Solar Eclipse:
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During a total solar eclipse, the New Moon comes
between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest
part of its shadow, called the umbra, on Earth.
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This results in a complete covering of the Sun’s
disk, and the sky becomes as dark as night.
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At the maximum point of the eclipse (midpoint of
totality), the sky darkens, and temperatures can drop.
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Only the Sun’s corona, its outer atmosphere, is
visible during a total solar eclipse.
2. Annular Solar
Eclipse:
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An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is at
or near its farthest point from Earth while passing between the Sun and Earth.
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Because of the greater distance, the Moon appears
smaller and does not completely cover
the Sun.
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This creates a ring-like
appearance, where the dark disk of the Moon is surrounded by the bright
ring of the Sun.
3. Partial Solar
Eclipse:
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A partial solar eclipse takes place when the Sun,
Moon, and Earth are not perfectly aligned. In this scenario, only a portion of the Sun’s surface appears to be
covered by the Moon, resulting in a crescent shape.
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People outside the Moon’s inner shadow area during
a total or annular eclipse observe a partial solar eclipse.
4. Hybrid Solar Eclipse:
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The Earth’s curved surface can lead to a shifting
eclipse type as the Moon’s shadow moves across the planet. This unique
situation is referred to as a hybrid solar eclipse.
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It may transition
between annular and total eclipses as it progresses across different
regions.
● These various solar eclipse types create captivating astronomical events that capture the attention of people around the world.