A solar eclipse occurs when the Moonpasses between the Sun and the Earth so

that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured.

In ancient times, and in some cultures today, solar eclipses

have been attributed to supernatural causes. Total

solar eclipses can be frightening for people who

are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear in the middle of the day and

the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.

Types

Total Eclipse Annular Eclipse

Hybrid Eclipse

Partial Eclipse

The umbra, penumbra and antumbra are the names given to

the three distinct parts of a shadow which are created when the source of light is not a point

source. These names are usually used when referring to the

shadows cast by celestial bodies.

The umbra is the darkest

part of a shadow.

The penumbra is the region in which only a portion of the

occulting body is obscuring the light source.

The antumbra is the region from

which the occulting body appears

entirely contained within the disc of the light source .

Near the beginning and end of total solar eclipse, the thin

slice of the Sun visible appears broken up into beads

of light. These lights are called 'Baily's Beads' after

the British astronomer Francis Baily who discovered them.

They occur because the edge of the Moon is not smooth but jagged with mountain peaks.

When just one bead is visible, the effect is often likened to a

diamond ring.

By Kate McCarthy