Byjus Logo

The Rare Annular Solar Eclipse of 2019

Team StoryWeavers|February 09, 2021, 11:49 IST| 58

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.

About the Author


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!

Leave a Comment


*

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?


Testimonials

Join 100+MN Registered BYJU'S Users

Book Your Free Class Now

Thank you!

Your details have been submitted
successfully.