What is a Solar Eclipse

Our ignorance about basic facts about solar eclipse is quite surprising, considering that most of us have had it as a part of our elementary school curriculum. The fact that as many as five solar eclipses can take place in a single calendar year is bound to come as a surprise for many, and that's just one of the numerous facts about this event which continue to elude our minds. Watching this celestial event is an amazing experience, but you need to brush your knowledge about this event if you are to make sure that you make the most of the opportunities coming your way in near future.

What is a Solar Eclipse and How Does it Occur?

In astronomy, solar eclipse is a celestial event wherein the moon - while orbiting the Earth, comes in between the Sun and the Earth in such manner that it blocks the view of the solar body when seen from a particular location on the planet. As moon lies between the Sun and the Earth, its shadow falls on the planet. If you happen to reside in the particular area where the shadow falls, you will not be able to see the Sun - and hence it is referred to as the eclipse of the Sun. Solar eclipses can be divided into three different types:

• Total solar eclipse - wherein the Sun appears to be totally covered by the moon. It only lasts for 3 minutes on an average.
• Partial solar eclipse - wherein a part of the Sun appears to be covered by the moon. All the four solar eclipses scheduled for 2011 are partial eclipses.
• Annular solar eclipse - wherein the moon is placed in such a manner that the Sun appears like a diamond ring. In this case, the moon is located at the farthest point in its orbit.

Technically speaking, it's the moon's shadow that causes a solar eclipse. This shadow of the lunar body has two parts - umbra (dark inner portion) and penumbra (faint outer portion). When umbra falls on the planet we get to experience a total eclipse, and when the penumbra falls on the planet we get to experience a partial eclipse. A minimum of two or a maximum of five solar eclipses can occur in a single year. When five solar eclipses occur in a single year, only two of them can be total solar eclipses.

Less Known Solar Eclipse Facts

Those who have heard that the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth once every 29.5 days must be wondering how can we only have a maximum of five solar eclipses in a year. It's absolutely true that the moon passes between the solar body and our planet after an interval of 29.5 days, but it is also true that the moon's orbit is slightly titled (approximately 5°) owing to which its shadow either passes from above or below the planet. For a solar eclipse to take place i.e. for the moon's shadow to hit the Earth, it has to be in conjunction with the Sun and Earth, and that only happens 2-5 times a year. Even though the presence of new moon is a basic requirement for solar eclipse, we don't get to see a solar eclipse on every new moon day owing to the same 5° tilt of moon's orbit.

Irrespective of whether you happen to be a spiritual person or you are inclined towards science, you cannot ignore the fact that solar eclipse, especially the total solar eclipse, is one celestial occurrence which you cannot afford to miss. There also exist some people, who call themselves the 'eclipse chasers' or 'umbraphiles', who travel to various corners of the world to witness this amazing event. If you happen to be one of these eclipse chasers, Serbia is where you need to head next - as the eclipse scheduled for 1st June will be at its visual best in this very region.