Solar Eclipses

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the Sun's light from reaching the Earth. This alignment can result in a total eclipse, where the Sun is completely obscured, or a partial eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is blocked. A solar eclipse can only happen during a new moon phase, and it is an opportunity to observe the effects of the Moon's shadow on the Earth. Eclipses are categorized as total, annular, or partial based on the alignment and distances involved. During a total solar eclipse, observers located in the path of totality can see the Sun's corona, which is its outer atmosphere, lending a unique visual experience. Solar eclipses occur infrequently at any given location on Earth, with total eclipses happening roughly every 18 months somewhere on the planet, but the same location may only experience a total eclipse every several decades or even longer. The phenomenon has been studied and recorded throughout history, leading to advancements in understanding both astronomy and the science of light.