Eclipses have always piqued curiosity in human beings and have been associated with several cultural myths and legends. While stories related to these eclipses are always interesting to listen to, the science behind them will surely fascinate you. And one such fascinating eclipse that we are going to witness on 26th December is the annular solar eclipse. Let’s learn more about it.
The rare Annular Solar Eclipse of this decade
If you are interested in the study of space, here’s your best moment as a sky watcher. You can witness the rarest annular solar eclipse of this year on 26th December 2019(Thursday) at 8 am IST. The eclipse will cover parts of Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa. The ring of the sunlight will glow for about 3 minutes and 39.5 seconds. With this, the annular eclipse will be the third and the final solar eclipse of this decade. This solar eclipse will cross in a south-eastern direction and will touch Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. After this, the next Annular Solar Eclipse for these parts will be 400 years later. So make sure you don’t miss it!
Pro tip: While you are preparing to watch this beautiful ‘ring of fire’, don’t forget to wear eye protection first.
Watch this interesting video on solar eclipse to know more about this amazing phenomenon
What is a Solar Eclipse?
An eclipse of the sun occurs when the moon moves in between the Sun and the Earth, thus blocking the sun rays and casting a shadow in certain parts of the Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase of the new moon. Depending on the alignment, the moon can partially or fully cast its shadow on the portion of the earth, which is the closest to the moon at that time.
Did you know: An eclipse never comes alone! A solar eclipse usually occurs in about 2 weeks before or after a lunar eclipse.
Types of Solar Eclipses
Depending on the alignments of the sun, the moon and the Earth, there are four types of solar eclipses.
Partial Solar Eclipse
This occurs when the moon partially covers the Sun’s disk and cast only the penumbra (the lighter outer part of a shadow) on Earth.
Annular Solar Eclipse
This occurs when the Moon’s disk is not big enough to cover the entire Sun and thus a neat ring is visible around the Moon.
Total Solar Eclipse
This occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun. The part of the Earth, which falls under the total solar eclipse, experiences a total darkness for a few minutes.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse
Also known as Annual-total Solar eclipse, the hybrid solar eclipse is a mix and is one of the rarest types.
In case you miss witnessing this annular solar eclipse, watch out for the next one on 21st June, 2020 (Sunday).
Was this article helpful? Do let us know in comments below.
Like this story? Read similar stories at The Learning Tree.
Books are Tanaya Goswami’s first love and cheesecakes come a close second. Talking about movies, music, calligraphy, politics, and Elon Musk will get you listed under the friends’ section of her diary. Ever since moving on from her job as an English lecturer, she spends her time at BYJU’S crafting stories filled with emotion and sprinkled with sarcasm. Outside of work, she’s either learning something new (French, most recently!) or is curled up with a book and a cup of coffee. She firmly believes that discovering what you don’t know is the key to knowledge and is constantly working towards improving herself. Drop in a line at storyweavers@byjus.com if you liked her stories, have something nice to say, or if you have compelling ideas to share!
Comments
Amogh Kottada????
February 28, 2020
I didn’t watch it.?? But I will surely watch it on 26 June 2020.???????
Pushpita
February 25, 2020
Is there really solar eclipse on 21june?
Aditya prasad
February 7, 2020
Ya!it can be hard or easy depending on the materials for making that solar filter
Arbaz
January 8, 2020
It is so interesting
Lavanya
January 6, 2020
It is interesting.
Prathamesh
January 6, 2020
What about lunar eclipse?
JAY
January 5, 2020
I couldn’t see it
Bhavika
January 4, 2020
It was very interesting and informative.
Parineeta
January 1, 2020
This information is really amazing!?
Sarbajeet Bose
December 31, 2019
It helped me a lot. Now I know the next solar eclipse.
But from where it can be best viewed?
Nived shaji
December 31, 2019
Yes this article was helpful
Ashmita
December 29, 2019
It’s very interesting.keep on updating interesting information.
Khushikhan
December 29, 2019
Thanks for interesting information.
Chinmayee Khairnar
December 28, 2019
Mam or Sir , solar eclipse is so rare but there is again a solar eclipse on 21 June 2020
Donna Shree Ingti
December 28, 2019
Yes the article is surely very helpful and inspiring one.
Kristi
December 28, 2019
Thanks byjus for teaching about it
Kristi
December 28, 2019
But I missed it because the weather of Punjab is cloudy.I am feeling so sad ????
TISHA
December 27, 2019
I had seen ?
Isha Mishrs
December 27, 2019
So much informative ! Thanks.
MADHUR SAHAY
December 27, 2019
They have kept a battery behind basketball to hold that. However, I am working on ppt of Eclipse. This information
Is too helpful to load stuffs in my ppt. I REQUEST TO ALSO MAKE A VIDEO ON LUNAR ECLIPSE
Gargi Sharma
December 27, 2019
I couldn’t see the Eclipse??????☹️☹️?
Anisha
December 26, 2019
Awesome to know about the eclipse. Thank you
Byjus..for teaching about the solar eclipse.
Sourabh
December 26, 2019
thank u
Jhanvi ladha
December 26, 2019
Thanks to byjus team for making us deepen with such information?
Navneet Kumar
December 26, 2019
Why the rays of solar eclipse are harmful for eyes?
Catherine
December 26, 2019
Please upload the video coz I missed the wonderful sight…. Plzz
Saurabh
December 26, 2019
I had seen it was very awesome
Vikrant Mayur Kumar
December 26, 2019
I will watch it
AHIR CHAKRABorty
December 26, 2019
very splendiferous
Geet
December 26, 2019
Please upload the video….because I was not able to see the eclipse….from Punjab
Aayushi
December 26, 2019
Today I saw the solar eclipse using the glasses. It was my first time to see annular solar eclipse.I was
so happy to see it.
Manasy
December 26, 2019
I had seen ??
Anusha
December 26, 2019
Wow…it’s so instresting….I shall watch it????
Haripriya P
December 26, 2019
Thanks byjus.. This article is really helpful.. It makes me wonder what a tiny speck we are in the vast and endless universe
Bavish Chris D'Souza
December 26, 2019
I enjoy learning about eclipse
Jeevan
December 26, 2019
Super byjus! thanks for the information on solar eclipse. jai hind
Srijan Panda
December 25, 2019
Many many thanks for the information BIJUS…???
Kritka
December 25, 2019
Will this solar eclipse happen in New Delhi ?
Rishab Dasari
December 25, 2019
Very nice I got more information.
But I have a doubt that can I see the Eclipse . I have spectacles
Surya
December 25, 2019
At which place?
m.madhav
December 25, 2019
It is very useful sir.
I am very thankful to yu sir.
Thanking you!
Nandita Gupta
December 25, 2019
Very useful information. Thank You for this information ????????
Laka navaneeth
December 25, 2019
Nice
Ritikashree
December 25, 2019
Awesome
Ritikashree
December 25, 2019
It’s really awesome to know about these…..
Kasish
December 25, 2019
What is meant by hybrid solar eclipse? Why it is known as rarest eclipse? Can anyone of the byjus teachers can tell me? Please tell me
Devika
December 25, 2019
Thank you byju’s…..for such a great as well as an interesting information…Sure I will not miss it..?
Bennett
December 25, 2019
Won’t you give the protect glasses
Sharanya pethkar
December 25, 2019
I will watch it ?????
Saran
December 25, 2019
It is so interesting. I’m interested to hear some more interesting stories about eclipse.
lakshmi
December 25, 2019
Very informative.
Swastika
December 25, 2019
Can I make a solar filters at my home?