What happens during a solar eclipse. What is a solar eclipse

Discs, pieces of glass from dark glass vessels and other devices are used when this mysterious natural phenomenon occurs. Crowds of people, sitting comfortably and holding their breath, watch how the Moon practically covers the Sun for some time, leaving only its luminous outline. The phenomenon is truly majestic, which is why, despite the fact that nothing changes over the years in the process of a solar eclipse, people still watch this event with interest every time.

The scientific explanation for a solar eclipse is this: all the planets revolve around the sun and, at a certain period, the moon is in such a position from the earth that it completely covers the sun. Specialists are able to determine the time of such a position of the Moon relative to the Earth and the Sun up to a second. During a solar eclipse, the shadow from the Moon falls on a certain part of the Earth's surface, its radius is about 200 km. If a person is in this line, then he can observe the complete absence of the Sun, when the night actually falls: it gets dark on the street, the birds stop singing, surprised by the sudden darkness, and bright stars can be seen in the sky. Those close to the eclipse band may only see a partial darkening.

This natural phenomenon only occurs during the new moon, when the planets line up, and the Sun does not illuminate the Moon, and it looks like a big black circle covering the Sun. Due to the fact that the orbit of the Moon has the shape of an ellipse, the planet can cover the Sun in different ways during an eclipse - completely hide it from the eyes of observers, just for a moment cover it with itself and close it so that a shining strip of the Sun remains along the contour of the Moon. Sometimes the Moon obscures the Sun in such a way that a stunning glow flashes around the solar planet, formed due to the outer layers of the Sun's atmosphere, which cannot be seen in sunlight. It is called the "crown of the sun".

In early times, solar eclipses were considered certain omens. People were so superstitious that they attributed a secret meaning to a natural phenomenon, correlated it with ongoing events. The inhabitants of China believed that at this time the Sun was trying to devour a huge black dragon, and in order to scare it away, it was customary to beat the drums as loudly as possible. The sign is described in the "Word of Igor's Campaign", when the soldiers were covered with darkness. Over time, the cause of solar eclipses was established, and astrologers tried to accurately calculate the time and coordinates of this phenomenon, and for an error they could pay with their heads. It was the study of the solar eclipse that served as the beginning of numerous discoveries in the field of astronomy and physics. During a total eclipse in India, a new chemical element, helium, was discovered. In Egypt, during one eclipse, a comet was seen near the Sun, which was subsequently called the Eclipse Comet. And the “corona of the sun” made it possible to see the nearest neighborhood of the planet with the help of a launched satellite.

Astronomical knowledge is an interesting part of the general knowledge that a person needs to understand what is happening in the environment. We direct our eyes to the sky whenever dreams take possession of the mind. Sometimes some phenomena strike a person to the core. We will talk about such in our article, namely, what a lunar and solar eclipse is.

Although today the disappearance or partial concealment of the luminaries from our eyes does not cause such superstitious fear as among our ancestors, a special halo of mystery of these processes remains. Nowadays, science has facts that can be used to explain this or that phenomenon simply and easily. We will try to do this in today's article.

and how does it happen?

A solar eclipse is one that occurs as a result of the fact that the Earth's satellite eclipses the entire solar surface or part of it facing observers located on the ground. At the same time, it is possible to see it only during the new moon period, when the part of the Moon turned to the planet is not completely illuminated, that is, it becomes invisible to the naked eye. We understood what an eclipse is, and now we will find out how it happens.

An eclipse occurs when the Moon is not illuminated by the Sun from the side visible on Earth. This is possible only in the growing phase, when it is near one of the two lunar nodes (by the way, the lunar node is the point of intersecting lines of two orbits, solar and lunar). At the same time, the lunar shadow on the planet has a diameter of no more than 270 kilometers. Therefore, the eclipse can be observed only in the place of the shadow band. In turn, the Moon, rotating in its orbit, maintains a certain distance between it and the Earth, which at the time of the eclipse can be completely different.

When do we observe a total solar eclipse?

You have probably heard about the concept of a total eclipse. Here we once again clearly define what a total solar eclipse is and what conditions are needed for it.

The shadow of the Moon falling on the Earth is a kind of spot of a certain diameter with a possible change in size. As we have already said, the diameter of the shadow does not exceed 270 kilometers, while the minimum figure approaches zero. If at this moment the observer of the eclipse finds himself in a dark band, he has a unique opportunity to become a witness to the complete disappearance of the Sun. At the same time, the sky becomes dark, with the outlines of stars and even planets. And around the previously hidden solar disk, the outline of the crown appears, which is impossible to see at normal times. A total eclipse lasts no more than a few minutes.

The photographs of this unique phenomenon presented in the article will help to see and realize what a solar eclipse is. If you decide to observe this phenomenon live, you must observe safety measures regarding vision.

With that, we finished the information block, in which we learned what a solar eclipse is and what conditions are necessary to see it. Next, we have to get acquainted with the lunar eclipse, or, as it sounds in English, lunar eclipse.

What is a lunar eclipse and how does it happen?

A lunar eclipse is a cosmic phenomenon that occurs when the Moon falls into the shadow of the Earth. In this case, as with the Sun, events can have several options for the development.

Depending on several factors, a lunar eclipse can be total or partial. Logically, we can well assume what this or that term characterizing a particular eclipse means. Let's find out what a total lunar eclipse is.

How and when does a planetary satellite become invisible?

Such an eclipse of the Moon is usually visible where at the appropriate moment it is located above the horizon. The satellite is in the shadow of the Earth, but the total eclipse is not able to completely hide the Moon. In this case, it is only slightly shaded, acquiring a dark, reddish tint. This is because, even being completely in the shade, the lunar disk does not cease to be illuminated by the sun's rays passing through the earth's atmosphere.

Our knowledge has expanded with facts about the eclipse of the moon. However, this is not all possible options for the eclipse of the satellite by the earth's shadow. The rest will be discussed later.

Partial lunar eclipse

As with the Sun, the obscuration of the visible surface of the Moon is often incomplete. We can observe a partial eclipse when some part of the Moon is in the Earth's shadow. This means that when part of the satellite is eclipsed, that is, it is obscured by our planet, then its second part continues to be illuminated by the Sun and remains well viewed by us.

A penumbral eclipse, which differs from other astronomical processes, will seem much more interesting and unusual. About what is a penumbral eclipse of the Moon, we will talk further.

Unique penumbral lunar eclipse

This type of eclipse of the Earth's satellite occurs a little differently than partial. From open sources or already from our own experience, it is easy to learn that there are areas on the surface of the Earth where the sun's rays are not completely obscured, which means they cannot be a shadow. But there is no direct sunlight here either. This is the penumbra area. And when the Moon, which has fallen into this very place, is in the penumbra of the Earth, we can observe a penumbral eclipse.

When entering the penumbral region, the lunar disk changes its brightness, becoming a little darker. True, such a phenomenon is almost impossible to notice and recognize with the naked eye. This will require special devices. It is also interesting that the dimming can be more noticeable from one edge of the Moon's disk.

So we have finished the second main block of our article. Now we can easily explain ourselves what a lunar eclipse is and how it happens. But the interesting facts about solar and lunar eclipses do not end there. Let's continue the topic by answering some questions related to these amazing phenomena.

What are the most common eclipses?

After all that we have learned from the previous parts of the article, the question naturally arises: which of the eclipses are we more likely to see in our lives? We will also say a few words about this.

Unbelievable, but true: the number of eclipses of the Sun is greater, even though the Moon is smaller in size than After all, knowing what an eclipse is and why it occurs, one might think that the shadow from a larger object is more likely to block a smaller one than vice versa. Based on this logic, the size of the Earth allows you to hide the lunar disk in no time.
Nevertheless, it is the eclipses of the Sun on the planet that happen more. According to the statistics of astronomers and observers, for seven eclipses there are only three lunar, solar, respectively, four.

The Reason for the Amazing Statistics

The disks of the celestial bodies closest to us, the Sun and the Moon, are practically the same in diameter in the sky. This is the reason why solar eclipses can occur.

Usually, eclipses of the Sun fall on the period of the new moon, that is, when the Moon approaches its orbital nodes. And since it is not perfectly round, and the nodes of the orbit move along the ecliptic, during favorable periods, the disk of the Moon on the celestial sphere can be either larger or smaller, or even equal to the solar disk.

In this case, the first case contributes to a total eclipse. The decisive factor is the angular. At the maximum size, the eclipse can last up to seven and a half minutes. The second case implies complete shading for only seconds. In the third case, when the disk of the Moon is smaller than the solar one, a very beautiful eclipse occurs - annular. Around the dark disk of the Moon we see a shining ring - the edges of the solar disk. This eclipse lasts 12 minutes.

Thus, we have supplemented our knowledge of what a solar eclipse is and how it occurs with new details worthy of amateur researchers.

The eclipse factor: the location of the luminaries

An equally important reason for an eclipse is the uniform arrangement of the heavenly bodies. The Moon's shadow may or may not hit the Earth. And sometimes it happens that only a penumbra from an eclipse falls on the Earth. In this case, one can observe a partial, that is, an incomplete eclipse of the Sun, which we have already talked about, even when we talked about what an eclipse of the Sun is.

If a lunar eclipse can be observed from the entire night surface of the planet, from which the circumference of the lunar disk is visible, then a solar eclipse can be observed only when you are in a narrow band 40-100 kilometers wide on average.

How often can you see eclipses?

Now that we know what an eclipse is and why there are more of them than others, one more exciting question remains: how often can these amazing phenomena be observed? After all, in our lives, each of us heard only one news about the eclipse, a maximum of two, someone - not a single one ...

Despite the fact that a solar eclipse occurs more often than a lunar eclipse, it can still be seen in the same area (remember the strip with an average width of 40-100 kilometers) only once every 300 years. But a total lunar eclipse, a person can observe several times in his life, but only if the observer has not changed his place of residence throughout his life. Although today, knowing about the blackout, you can get anywhere and by any means of transport. Those who know what a lunar eclipse is will certainly not stop in front of a hundred or two kilometers of travel for an incredible spectacle. Today there are no problems with this. And if suddenly you received information about the next eclipse in some place, do not be lazy and spare no expense to get to the place of maximum visibility at the moment when you can observe the ongoing eclipse. Believe me, no distance can compare with the impressions received.

Upcoming visible eclipses

You can learn about the frequency and schedule of the occurrence of eclipses from the astronomical calendar. In addition, significant events such as a total eclipse will certainly be talked about in the media. The calendar says that the next solar eclipse visible in the capital of Russia will take place on October 16, 2126. Recall also that the last eclipse in this area could be observed more than a hundred years ago - in 1887. So the inhabitants of Moscow will not have to observe a solar eclipse for many more years. The only opportunity to see an amazing phenomenon is to go to Siberia, to the Far East. There you can observe a change in the brightness of the Sun: it will only darken a little.

Conclusion

In our astronomical article, we tried to explain clearly and briefly what an eclipse of the Sun and Moon is, how these phenomena occur, how often they can be seen. The conclusion of our research in this area: the eclipse of different celestial bodies occur according to different principles and have their own characteristics. But understanding some of the details necessary for the average person's full knowledge of the environment is very important.

In our time, thanks to advanced science and technology, the luminary that went out for a while no longer frightens at all, but remains just as enticingly mysterious. Today we know what a lunar and solar eclipse is and what they bring us. Let now interest in them be purely cognitive as a rare outlandish phenomenon. Also, in the end, we wish you to see at least one eclipse with your own eyes!

Everyone has seen a solar eclipse at least once in their life, or at least heard of it. This phenomenon has long attracted attention - at all times it was considered a harbinger of misfortune, some nations perceived it as God's wrath. It really looks a little creepy - the solar disk completely or partially covers the black spot, the sky darkens, and sometimes you can even distinguish stars on it. In animals and birds, this phenomenon causes fear - they gather in flocks and seek shelter. Why does a solar eclipse happen?

The essence of this phenomenon is quite simple - the Moon and the Sun line up in one line, and thus our earthly satellite obscures the luminary. The Moon is much smaller than the Sun, but because it is much closer to the Earth, a person observing a solar eclipse will see that it covers the entire solar disk.

A solar eclipse can be total or partial, depending on how much the Moon covers our star.

On average, the Earth experiences 2 to 5 eclipses every year.

Sometimes you can observe a rare astronomical phenomenon - the so-called ring eclipse. At the same time, the Moon seems smaller than the Sun, and covers only its middle part, exposing the solar atmosphere. This type of eclipse is extremely valuable for researchers of processes occurring on our star. It makes it possible to better view the upper layers of the Sun. In particular, such eclipses have been of great help in the study of the solar corona. It happens that the Moon seems to be larger than the Sun, then the disk turns out to be covered so much that even the rays emanating from it are not visible from the Earth. Such a variety of eclipses is explained by the fact that the lunar orbit has an elongated ellipsoidal shape, so at different times of the year it is further or closer to the Earth.

Scientists have long found the answer to the question of how and why a solar eclipse occurs., saving mankind from prejudices in relation to this phenomenon. Moreover, it can now be predicted. This made it possible to take a fresh look at many historical events. So, the chroniclers, describing the battles and other important events, often mentioned that a solar eclipse happened that day, without giving the exact date. Now, thanks to the calculations of modern scientists, these dates have been restored.

If you do not delve into the essence of the phenomenon, then we can say that an eclipse is a temporary disappearance of the Sun or Moon from the sky. How does this happen?

Solar and Lunar eclipse

Here, for example, the Moon, passing between the Earth and the Sun, completely or partially blocks the Sun from the earthly observer. This is a solar eclipse. Or the Moon, making its way around the Earth, gets into such a position that the Earth is on a straight line connecting the Moon and the Sun.

The Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, and it disappears from the sky. This is a lunar eclipse. Eclipses happen because celestial bodies are constantly changing location. The earth revolves around the sun, and the moon revolves around the earth. Both of these processes take place simultaneously. If for a few minutes the Moon, Earth and Sun are in the same line, an eclipse begins. A total solar eclipse is a very rare and dramatic event.

During a total solar eclipse, it seems that some huge monster devours the Sun piece by piece. When the Sun disappears, the firmament darkens and stars are visible in the sky. The air is rapidly cooling. Soon there is nothing left of the Sun but a thin luminous ring, as if hanging in the sky, we see part of the flaming solar corona.

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Interesting fact : During a total solar eclipse, the air temperature drops, the sky darkens and stars appear on it.

What happens during a solar eclipse

Ancient Chinese artists depicted a solar eclipse as a dragon devouring the sun. In fact, after a few minutes, the Sun comes out of "shelter", and the night turns into a clear day again. This dragon turns out to be the Moon, which passed between the Earth and the Sun. To finally understand what happens during an eclipse, conduct a simple experiment. Turn on the table lamp and look at it.

Now take a piece of cardboard and move it slowly in front of your eyes so that at the end of the movement the cardboard is between your eyes and the lamp. The moment when the cardboard closes the lamp from your eyes corresponds to the moment the solar eclipse begins. The cardboard is far from the lamp, but once in front of your eyes, it blocks the light of the lamp from you. If you lead the cardboard further, then the lamp will open again to your gaze.

Total and partial solar eclipse

The same can be said about the Moon. You see a solar eclipse when the Moon, crossing the daytime sky, is between the Sun and the illuminated face of the Earth, blocking the light of the Sun from it. If the Moon blocks only part of the Sun, then a partial solar eclipse occurs.