Surabaya – A total solar eclipse is a celestial phenomenon that occurred thousands of years ago. In fact, centuries ago, a total solar eclipse was considered a mystical and inauspicious event.
With the development of science, astronomers have finally managed to identify a total solar eclipse, how it occurs and its causes. So, what is a total solar eclipse?
What is a total solar eclipse?
According to the official National Geographic website, a total solar eclipse is the phenomenon where the Moon blocks the entire surface of the sun. The Moon is directly parallel to the Earth and the Sun, giving rise to a shadow called the umbra.
The size of the Moon and the Sun are not the same, so how can the Moon completely cover the Sun? The NASA page states that the diameter of the Sun is 400 times the diameter of the Moon, but the distance is 400 times greater.
This distance makes the Moon and Sun appear to be the same size from Earth. The Moon’s diameter and distance from Earth also make it large enough to cover the solar disk.
Duration of a total solar eclipse
Compared to an annular or partial solar eclipse, a total solar eclipse has the shortest duration. The phenomenon when the Sun is completely dark only lasts between 10 seconds and 7.5 minutes.
The chance of observing this phenomenon is also almost less than once in a lifetime. During a total solar eclipse, day will turn to night. Several stars and planets are also visible. The air temperature will also decrease.
Safe Ways to See a Total Solar Eclipse
Experts urge you to always use caution when viewing a total solar eclipse. Looking directly at the sun with the naked eye or using telescopes and binoculars without eye protection can cause vision damage and permanent blindness.
For this reason, special eclipse glasses that filter sunlight and instruments equipped with solar filters are needed. Observers can also use simple pinhole cameras.
Even so, the total solar eclipse can be observed with the naked eye and safely, but only during the brief phase of totality. This phase occurs at the peak of the total solar eclipse, that is, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s rays.
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(IRB/DTE)
2024-01-12 03:40:38
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