Annular vs. Total Solar Eclipses

Solar eclipses are a spectacular phenomenon that usually occur twice a year on Earth, but how exactly does it work?

When the Earth, Sun and Moon line up perfectly and one passes in front of the sun, that is an eclipse. Earth blocking the Sun from the Moon is a lunar eclipse while the Moon blocking the Sun is a solar eclipse. 

What about an annular vs total solar eclipse? An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is far enough from the Earth or the Earth is too close to the Sun that it doesn’t completely block the Sun’s rays keeping the Umbra (Moon’s shadow) from completely reaching the Earth. The partial shadow that reaches the Earth is called an Antumbra. From Earth it will look like a “Ring of Fire” is around the Moon directly under the Antumbra. During these eclipses, you must wear proper solar eclipse glasses to protect your eyes throughout the entire eclipse process. 

A total solar eclipse is when the Moon is closer to Earth and allows the Umbra to reach the Earth’s surface. Once the Moon completely blocks out the sun, you can take off your glasses but must quickly put on eye protection shortly before the total eclipse ends to avoid eye damage. 

In just several days, a total solar eclipse will cut through south-central U.S. to the Northeast on Monday, April 8th, 2024. Just a few months ago, the West and south-central U.S. experienced an annular solar eclipse.

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Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com