Solar Eclipse 101 | National Geographic

Summary

The video script explains solar eclipses, which occur when the new moon aligns between Earth and the sun, casting shadows on Earth. Despite the sun being 400 times larger than the moon, they appear the same size due to the moon's distance. Eclipses are predictable due to Earth and moon's orbits. There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid. A total eclipse is the most spectacular, visible only within the umbral shadow path. Safe viewing methods include eclipse glasses and pinhole viewers. During totality, Baily's beads and the Diamond Ring phenomenon occur. Eclipses affect animal and plant behavior, and they happen about once every 400 years at any given location. In a billion years, the moon will be too far to cause total eclipses.

Takeaways

• 🌞 A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon aligns between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's rays from reaching Earth.
• 🌕 The sun and moon appear the same size in the sky because, despite the sun being 400 times wider, it is also 400 times farther away from Earth.
• 🔮 Astronomers can predict eclipses due to the predictable orbits of the Earth and moon.
• 🌑 The moon's orbit is typically tilted, which is why not every new moon results in an eclipse.
• 🗺️ There are two types of shadows cast during a solar eclipse: the umbra (smaller, darker shadow) and the penumbra (larger shadow).
• 🌟 There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid.
• 🌌 A total eclipse is the most spectacular, where the moon completely covers the sun's surface, and can only be seen within the umbral shadow.
• 🌓 A partial eclipse is seen in the penumbral shadow, where the moon appears off-center in front of the sun.
• 🌓 An annular eclipse happens when the moon is too small to fully cover the sun, due to its elliptical orbit placing it farther from Earth.
• 🌌 A hybrid eclipse is a rare event where different parts of Earth experience either an annular or total eclipse depending on the moon's distance.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage, so it's crucial to use certified eclipse-watching glasses or indirect viewing methods like a pinhole viewer.
• ✨ During totality, the last bit of sunlight visible through valleys on the moon's edge is known as Baily's beads, followed by the Diamond Ring effect just before total eclipse.
• 🌒 After totality, it's safe to remove eclipse glasses briefly, but they must be put back on before any sunlight reappears to avoid eye damage.
• 🌳 Animals and plants may change their behavior during a total eclipse, such as birds ceasing to sing and flowers starting to close.
• 🌛 The moon moves away from Earth by about one and a half inches each year, which will eventually prevent total solar eclipses from being visible in about a billion years.

Q & A

What causes a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when a new moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun's rays from reaching the Earth.

Why do the sun and moon appear the same size in the sky?

The sun is 400 times wider than the moon, but it is also 400 times farther away, which makes them appear the same size in our sky.

Why isn't there a solar eclipse every month?

The moon's orbit is usually tilted a few degrees north or south in relation to the Earth, so it doesn't always pass directly between the Earth and the sun.

What are the two types of shadows cast by the moon during a solar eclipse?

The moon casts two types of shadows on Earth during a solar eclipse: a smaller, darker shadow known as the umbra, and a larger shadow known as the penumbra.

What are the four types of solar eclipses?

The four types of solar eclipses are total, partial, annular, and hybrid eclipses.

What is the path of totality and why is it significant?

The path of totality is the imaginary line created by the umbral shadow as it races across Earth. It is significant because a total eclipse can only be seen if you're standing within this shadow.

What happens during an annular eclipse?

An annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun but appears too small to fully cover the sun, leaving a ring of sunlight visible around the moon.

What is a hybrid eclipse and how does it occur?

A hybrid eclipse occurs when the moon's position between the Earth and sun is finely balanced, resulting in an annular eclipse in some parts of Earth and a total eclipse in others due to the curvature of the Earth.

How often does a total solar eclipse happen somewhere on Earth?

A total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth every year or two.

Why is it unsafe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse?

Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage because the sun's rays are still intense enough to harm the eyes.

What are some safe ways to view a solar eclipse?

Safe ways to view a solar eclipse include using certified eclipse-watching glasses, which are thousands of times darker than typical sunglasses, or by making a pinhole viewer to project the sun's image onto a flat surface.

What is the Diamond Ring effect and when does it occur?

The Diamond Ring effect occurs just before the moon completely covers the sun, where the last remaining brilliant shaft of light appears as a single bead of light before the totality is achieved.

How long does totality typically last during a solar eclipse?

Totality, the period when the moon completely covers the sun, typically lasts for less than three minutes.

How do animals and plants react during a total solar eclipse?

Animals and plants may alter their behavior during a total eclipse, with songbirds stopping singing, crickets starting to chirp, and flowers potentially closing up.

Will we always be able to see total solar eclipses?

No, we won't always be able to see total solar eclipses. The moon moves about one and a half inches away from Earth each year, and it's estimated that in about a billion years, it will be too far away to completely cover the sun.

Outlines

00:00

🌞 Understanding Solar Eclipses

A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon aligns between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's rays from reaching Earth. Despite the sun being 400 times larger than the moon, they appear the same size in the sky due to the moon being 400 times closer. Eclipses are predictable due to the Earth and moon's regular orbits, but they don't happen monthly because the moon's orbit is usually tilted. When an eclipse does occur, it casts two types of shadows: the umbra (a smaller, darker shadow) and the penumbra (a larger shadow). There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid. A total eclipse is the most spectacular, where the moon completely covers the sun's surface and can only be seen within the umbral shadow, creating a path of totality. A partial eclipse is seen in the penumbral shadow, where the moon appears off-center in front of the sun. An annular eclipse happens when the moon, which appears smaller due to its distance, doesn't fully cover the sun. A hybrid eclipse is rare and occurs when the moon's position results in both annular and total eclipses along different parts of its path. It's crucial to never look directly at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection, such as certified eclipse-watching glasses or indirect viewing methods like a pinhole viewer.

Keywords

💡Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse is a celestial event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's rays from reaching the Earth. This phenomenon is central to the video's theme, as it explains the conditions necessary for an eclipse to take place. The video script mentions that despite the Sun being 400 times wider than the Moon, they appear the same size in our sky due to the Moon being 400 times closer, which is crucial for a solar eclipse to occur.

💡Umbra

The umbra is the smaller, darker shadow cast by the Moon during a solar eclipse. It is a key concept in the video as it defines the area on Earth where a total solar eclipse can be observed. The script explains that only those standing within the umbral shadow witness a total eclipse, hence the term 'path of totality' is used to describe the line created by this shadow as it moves across the Earth's surface.

💡Penumbra

The penumbra is the larger, lighter shadow cast by the Moon during a solar eclipse. The video script uses this term to describe the area where observers would see a partial eclipse, as opposed to the total eclipse visible within the umbra. This distinction is important for understanding the different types of solar eclipse experiences depending on one's location relative to the Moon's shadow.

💡Total Eclipse

A total eclipse is the most spectacular type of solar eclipse where the Moon completely covers the Sun's surface. The video emphasizes this event as the peak of the eclipse experience, which can only be seen from within the path of totality. The script describes the anticipation and the dramatic visual effects, such as Baily's beads and the Diamond Ring, leading up to totality.

💡Partial Eclipse

A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun but does not fully cover its surface, as viewed from outside the path of totality. The video script uses this term to describe the second type of solar eclipse, where the Moon appears off-center in front of the Sun. This is a common experience for many observers who are not within the umbral shadow.

💡Annular Eclipse

An annular eclipse is a type of solar eclipse where the Moon appears too small to fully cover the Sun, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around the Moon. This happens because the Moon is at its farthest point from the Earth in its elliptical orbit. The video script explains this phenomenon as the third type of solar eclipse, highlighting the Moon's distance as a key factor.

💡Hybrid Eclipse

A hybrid eclipse, also known as an annular-total eclipse, is a rare type of solar eclipse where both annular and total phases are observed from different locations on Earth. The video script introduces this as the fourth type of solar eclipse, emphasizing the fine balance of the Moon's position and the Earth's curvature in creating this unique event.

💡Path of Totality

The path of totality refers to the narrow corridor on Earth's surface where a total solar eclipse is visible. The video script describes this as an imaginary line created by the umbral shadow as it races across the Earth, making it a critical concept for those wanting to experience a total eclipse.

💡Baily's Beads

Baily's beads are the brilliant shafts of light that appear just before the total phase of a solar eclipse, as sunlight passes through valleys on the Moon's edge. The video script uses this term to describe a striking visual phenomenon that signals the imminent totality of the eclipse, enhancing the viewer's understanding of the event's progression.

💡Diamond Ring

The Diamond Ring is the final moment of Baily's beads, where a single, bright point of light resembles a diamond ring on the Moon's silhouette. The video script describes this as a dramatic and iconic moment that signifies the last seconds before totality, adding to the anticipation and excitement of the eclipse.

💡Eclipse Glasses

Eclipse glasses are a safety measure mentioned in the video script, designed to protect the eyes from the Sun's harmful rays during an eclipse. They are certified to be thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses, allowing viewers to safely observe the eclipse without causing eye damage.

Highlights

A solar eclipse occurs when the new moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's rays.

Despite the sun being 400 times wider than the moon, they appear the same size in our sky due to the moon's distance.

Astronomers can predict eclipses because of the predictable orbits of the Earth and moon.

Eclipses don't happen every month due to the moon's tilted orbit.

During an eclipse, the moon casts an umbra and a penumbra on Earth.

There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid.

A total eclipse is the most spectacular, where the moon completely covers the sun's surface.

The path of totality is the line created by the umbral shadow as it moves across Earth.

A partial eclipse is seen from outside the path of totality, where the moon covers the sun off-center.

An annular eclipse happens when the moon appears too small to fully cover the sun, due to its elliptical orbit.

A hybrid eclipse is a rare event where the moon's position causes both annular and total eclipses along its path.

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere on Earth every year or two, but any given location experiences it only once every 400 years.

Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage.

Certified eclipse-watching glasses or a pinhole viewer are safe ways to enjoy an eclipse.

Baily's beads and the Diamond Ring are phenomena seen just before totality.

During totality, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses as no sun's rays reach the eyes.

Totality typically lasts less than three minutes, and it affects the behavior of animals and plants.

In about a billion years, the moon will be too far away to completely cover the sun during an eclipse.

Transcripts

- [Narrator] A solar eclipse happens

when a new moon moves between the Earth and the sun,

blocking some or all of the sun's rays

from reaching the Earth.

By cosmic chance, even though the sun

is 400 times wider than the moon,

it's also 400 times farther away.

Therefore, the two objects appear the same size in our sky.

Astronomers are able to predict eclipses

because the Earth and moon have very predictable orbits.

Why, then, isn't there an eclipse every month?

The moon's orbit is usually tilted

a few degrees north or south in relation to the Earth.

When the moon does eclipse the sun,

it casts two types of shadows on Earth:

a smaller, darker shadow, known as the umbra,

and a larger shadow, known as the penumbra.

There are four types of solar eclipses.

The first and most spectacular is a total eclipse,

when the moon completely covers the sun's surface.

A total eclipse can only be seen

if you're standing within the umbral shadow.

That's why the imaginary line created by this shadow

as it races across Earth is known as the path of totality.

People within the penumbral shadow

see only a partial eclipse, the second type.

From this view, outside the path of totality,

the moon passes in front of the sun off-center,

never fully covering its surface.

Third, an annular eclipse,

occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun.

However, unlike a total eclipse,

the moon appears too small to fully cover the sun.

The moon's orbit is elliptical,

so sometimes it's closer to Earth

and sometimes it's farther away.

Last, a hybrid eclipse, is when the moon's position

between the Earth and sun is so finely balanced

that the curvature of the Earth plays a role.

The moon will be farther away from some parts of Earth

along the eclipse's path, resulting in an annular eclipse.

In other parts, the moon will be just close enough

to fully cover the sun, resulting in a total eclipse.

While a total solar eclipse happens

somewhere on Earth every year or two,

any given point on Earth experiences the event

only about once every 400 years.

(high-pitched hum) (static crackles)

We interrupt this video

for an important safety announcement.

Looking directly at the sun,

even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy an eclipse safely.

The easiest is to use certified eclipse-watching glasses,

which are shaded thousands of times darker

than typical sunglasses.

You can also look at the eclipse indirectly

by making a pinhole viewer.

Simply poke a small hole in a piece of cardboard.

Hold the cardboard up to the sun,

allowing the sun's image to be projected

onto a flat surface.

Be sure to look only at the surface

and not through the cardboard.

Just before the moon completely covers the sun,

low-lying valleys on the moon's edge will be the only spots

that sunlight continues to pass through.

These remaining brilliant shafts of light,

known as Baily's beads, will disappear one after another.

And finally, a single bead of light remains,

known as the Diamond Ring,

signaling that you're just seconds away

from experiencing totality.

Once the last bead disappears

and the moon completely covers the sun's surface,

the view through your eclipse glasses will be pitch black.

Totality achieved.

At this point, none of the sun's rays are reaching your eyes

and it's the only time that it's safe

to take off your glasses.

Remember to put your eclipse glasses back on

before any of the sun's rays start to peek through again.

Any sunlight reaching your eyes, even for a few seconds,

can cause serious damage.

While an eclipse can last a few hours,

totality typically occurs for less than three minutes.

Animals and plants have also been known

to alter their behavior during a total eclipse.

Songbirds may stop singing, crickets may start chirping,

and flowers might even start to close up.

We won't always be able to see total solar eclipses.

The moon moves about one and a half inches away

from Earth each year.

It's estimated that in about a billion years,

the moon will be too far away from Earth

to completely cover the sun.

(elegant music)