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Home Types of Eclipse Lunar Eclipse February 2017 Solar Eclipse February 2017 Lunar Eclipse August 2017

The document discusses the geometry and physical attributes of a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse can only occur during a new moon when the sun, moon, and earth are aligned. The moon passes between the earth and sun, blocking sunlight and allowing viewers to see the sun's corona. During a solar eclipse, the moon's shadow falls on earth as either a partial or total eclipse depending on the viewer's location. The path of totality is narrow, resulting in few being able to see the full eclipse.

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22 views

Home Types of Eclipse Lunar Eclipse February 2017 Solar Eclipse February 2017 Lunar Eclipse August 2017

The document discusses the geometry and physical attributes of a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse can only occur during a new moon when the sun, moon, and earth are aligned. The moon passes between the earth and sun, blocking sunlight and allowing viewers to see the sun's corona. During a solar eclipse, the moon's shadow falls on earth as either a partial or total eclipse depending on the viewer's location. The path of totality is narrow, resulting in few being able to see the full eclipse.

Uploaded by

hijaps123
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EclipseGeeks.

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Types of Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse February 2017

Solar Eclipse February 2017

Lunar Eclipse August 2017

EclipseGeeks.com - All you ever wanted to know about eclipses and other celstial bodies

Geometry of a Solar Eclipse


Physical attributes of a Solar Eclipse
A Solar eclipse can only occur when there is a New Moon and only when the Earth, Moon
and Sun are in perfect alignment or near perfect alignment. The Moon passes between the
Earth and the Sun, and the Moon fully covers the Sun, blocking sunlight reaching Earth's
surface and turns daytime into darkness, while still allowing observers to view the beautiful
corona atmosphere of the Sun.

Solar Eclipses occur during daytime when the New Moon is in the daytime sky and moves
across the sky but is invisible due to the glare of the Sun and only becomes visible when the
eclipse begins. As the Moon continues moving across the daytime sky it makes 1st contact
against the Sun. This is the beginning of the eclipse. Totality occurs when the Moon
completely covers the Sun turning daylight into darkness and allowing observers to view the
beautiful corona atmosphere of the Sun.

The Moon passes in front of the Sun blocking sunlight reaching Earth. The penumbra shadow
of the Moon (the outer fainter shadow) falls onto Earths daytime surface and a partial solar
eclipse is observable.

Under the Umbra shadow a Total Solar Eclipse is seen and makes a shadow of darkness along
a narrow path. This shadow width varies according to ones local and geographical conditions
but is typically 140 miles wide by 6,0000 miles long.

To observers outside the area of totality a partial eclipse of varying degrees is seen. The
narrow path of Totality results in only a minority of people being able to observe the event. A
Total Solar Eclipse duration lasts between a few seconds and a few minutes.

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