Image credit: Flickr arbyreed

Witnessing a Solar or lunar eclipse is always a very stunning experience for those who love to see miracles. By the Way how many of you have witnessed the most recent Solar Eclipse which occurred yesterday on May 20, 2012? Have you ever thought how this rare phenomenon occurs? Let us put some light on it.

What is Solar Eclipse:

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes between the earth and sun while revolving, and blocks the sun partially or fully. It occurs only on new moon and it blocks the light of sun to reach the earth. In fact, the moon and the sun are in conjunction as seen from the earth so the sun is completely invisible. The moon does not have its own light because it relies on Sun’s light reflected by earth, so it becomes dark during this whole process.

Eclipse types

Total Eclipse: When the sun is completely hidden behind the moon leaving a solar corona behind that is visible to naked eye.

Image credit: Flickr maaco

Annular Eclipse: When the sun and the moon are in line but size of the moon is a bit smaller than the sun so it forms a bright ring around the sun.

Hybrid Eclipse: In fact, it is a combination of annular and total eclipse because at some specific points on earth it’s been observed as annular eclipse while on other points it is observed as the total eclipse.

Partial Eclipse: When the sun and the moon are not exactly in line and the Sun is partially hidden behind the Moon. This is the most observed type of Solar eclipse as it is witnessed in many areas even during the total and annular eclipses.

And now some amazing facts about the Solar Eclipse that one must know.

1) During a total Solar Eclipse, the temperature of the places where it is being witnessed, can be dropped by 20 degrees are more.

2) North Pole and South Pole are the only places where the Total Solar Eclipse cannot be observed but the partial solar eclipse.

3) The longest recorded duration of a total solar eclipse is about 7.5 minutes.

4) Annually, minimum 2 and maximum 5 solar eclipses can be observed on the Earth.

5) According to many astronomers, the time during the Eclipse period is considered inauspicious and they ask people to not to take baths, lunch and sleep during the eclipse.

Note: According to NASA, one should not look at any sort of partial or total eclipse without some proper techniques and equipments because it can result in retinal burn and the victim may loss eye sight permanently.