The giant celestial bodies, namely the Earth, Moon and Sun, align perfectly four to seven times a year to create the cosmic-scale shadow spectacle known as an eclipse. The terms Surya Grahan (solar eclipse) and Chandra Grahan (lunar eclipse) are commonly used to refer to these eclipses, depending on the alignment. However, these two eclipses are divided into several subcategories.
There are different types of solar and lunar eclipses. The alignment of the planets and their separation from each other determine these types or groups.
Solar eclipse 2023: date, time in India, where and how to see the rare Surya Grahan hybrid live?
Types of Surya Grahan
The Moon’s alignment with the Earth and Sun, as well as its distance from Earth, determine the type of eclipse that will be visible to the public.
- Total solar eclipse
- Hybrid solar eclipse
- partial solar eclipse
- Annular solar eclipse
From left to right, total solar eclipse, annular solar eclipse and partial solar eclipse. Credits: Total Eclipse (left): NASA/MSFC/Joseph Matus; annular eclipse (center): NASA/Bill Dunford; partial eclipse (right): NASA/Bill Ingalls
Total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely obscures the face of the Sun as it moves in front of the Earth. It is only visible to those who are in the shadow of the Moon when it hits the Earth. The sky will become gloomy, just as it dawns or dusks.
Annular solar eclipse
When the Moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth and passes in front of it, blocking the Sun’s light, an annular eclipse occurs. Due to its greater distance from Earth, the Moon appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely obscure it. As a result, the Moon appears as a black disk on top of a larger, brighter disk, giving the impression that the Moon is surrounded by a ring.
partial solar eclipse
When the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth but the three celestial bodies are not exactly aligned, a partial solar eclipse occurs. The Sun appears to be partially hidden and takes the shape of a crescent. People outside the Moon’s inner shadow region experience a partial solar eclipse during a complete or annular solar eclipse.
Hybrid solar eclipse
The curved shape of the Earth’s surface causes some annular and total eclipses to occur alternately. This situation is known as a hybrid solar eclipse.
Chandra Graham type
A lunar eclipse, also known as Chandra Grahan time, occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow and becomes dark.
- Total lunar eclipse
- partial lunar eclipse
- Penumbral lunar eclipse
Source: Moving Moon (NASA)
partial lunar eclipse
In a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon passes only slightly through the Earth’s umbra due to an incorrect alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The shadow enters and leaves the frame, never completely enveloping the Moon. This type of astronomical event is called a partial lunar eclipse.
Total lunar eclipse
When the Moon and the Sun are located exactly on opposite sides of the planet, a total lunar eclipse occurs. In this situation, the Moon enters the umbra, or inner region, of the Earth’s shadow. The surface of the Moon receives a certain amount of sunlight that passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and is dimly illuminated.
Penumbral lunar eclipse
The Moon passes through Earth’s penumbra, or the pale outer region of its shadow, during a penumbral lunar eclipse. This time, the Moon’s fading is so subtle that it may be difficult to observe.
The first eclipse of the year will be on April 20. It will be a hybrid solar eclipse. While the next solar eclipse of 2023 will occur on October 14, and the two lunar eclipses of the year will be on May 5 and 6 and October 28 and 29.
Difference between solar and lunar eclipse, know the solar and lunar eclipse
Fountain: nasa.gov
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn