SOLAR ECLIPSE

Sometimes, the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.  An eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Earth passes through the Moon’s shadow.  When this happens, the Moon blocks the light of the Sun as a shadow of the Moon is cast on the Earth's surface.   This is an eclipse of the Sun.  

1.      Can only occur at New Moon when the Moon passes between Earth and Sun. If Moon's shadow happens to fall upon Earth’s surface at that time, we see some portion of the Sun's disk covered or 'eclipsed' by the Moon. 

2.      Moon’s shadow usually moves from west to east at speed of 2,000 miles per hour.

3.      Moon’s shadow has two parts – penumbra and umbra

4.      Three types – total eclipse,  annular eclipse, partial eclipse

5.      When only Moon's penumbral shadow strikes Earth, we see a partial eclipse of the Sun from that region

6.      When Moon only darkens the middle of the sun, leaving a bright ring around the edges visible

7.      If Moon's dark umbral shadow sweeps across Earth's surface, then total eclipse of the Sun is seen

8.      The track of Moon's shadow across Earth's surface is called Path of Totality -- typically 10,000 miles long but only 100 miles or so wide. Must be in this path in order to see the Sun totally eclipsed by the Moon; make total eclipses rare and lasting on average 2.5 minutes.

9.      At moment of total eclipse, halo, called the corona, flashes into view around darkened sun

10. Solar eclipses are harmful and not to be viewed directly with naked eye.  Sun gives off invisible infrared rays that can damage eyes.  Only view with pinhole projector or similar device.