Such an astronomical phenomenon as a solar eclipse at least once in the life of everyone saw. Even in ancient sources, people mentioned it, and today at least once or twice a year on the whole Earth one can see partial or complete eclipses. Eclipses occur regularly, several times a year, and even the exact dates of the following are known.
What is a solar eclipse?
Objects in outer space are arranged in such a way that the shadow of one can overlap another. The moon provokes a solar eclipse when it closes a fire disk. At this point, the planet is getting a little colder and noticeably darker, as if the evening has come. Animals and birds are frightened in this incomprehensible situation, plants turn off foliage. Even people used to treat similar astronomical jokes with great excitement, but with the development of science everything fell into place.
How does a solar eclipse happen?
The moon and the sun are at different distances from our planet, so people seem to be almost the same size. In the new moon, when the orbits of both cosmic bodies intersect at one point, the satellite closes the luminary for the terrestrial viewer. The solar eclipse is a bright and memorable astronomical situation, however it is impossible to enjoy it completely for several reasons:
- The dimming band is not wide by terrestrial standards, no more than 200-270 km.
- Due to the fact that the diameter of the moon is much smaller than the earth's, you can see the eclipse only in certain parts of the planet.
- The so-called "phase of darkness" lasts several minutes. After that, the satellite moves away, continuing to rotate in its orbit, and the light again "works in the usual mode."
How does a solar eclipse look like?
When the earth satellite obscures the heavenly body, the last from the surface of the planet looks like a dark spot with a bright crown on the sides. The fireball is closed to another, but smaller diameter. A glow of pearl color appears around. These are the outer layers of the solar atmosphere, not noticeable at the usual time. "Magic" is in one moment, you can only catch it from a certain angle. And the essence of the solar eclipse is in the shadow falling from the satellite, which blocks the light. The one in the darkening zone can see the full eclipse, others only partially or not at all.
How long does a solar eclipse last?
Depending on the latitude, on which there is a potential terrestrial viewer, he can observe the eclipse from 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, there are three conditional stages of a solar eclipse:
- From the right side of the luminary there is the Moon.
- It passes through its orbit, gradually obscuring the fiery disk from the viewer.
- There comes the darkest period - when the satellite completely obscures the luminary.
After that, the Moon departs, revealing the right edge of the Sun. The glow ring disappears and becomes light again. The last period of the solar eclipse is short, lasts an average of 2-3 minutes. The highest fixed duration of the full phase in June 1973 lasted 7.5 minutes. And the shortest eclipse was seen in 1986 in the North Atlantic, when the shadow obscured the disc for only one second.
Solar eclipse - species
The geometry of the phenomenon is amazing, and its beauty is due to the following coincidence: the diameter of the luminary is 400 times greater than the lunar one, and 400 times farther from it to the Earth. Under ideal conditions, one can see a very "precise" eclipse. But when a person looking at a unique phenomenon is in the penumbra of the moon, he is partially dulled. In total, there are three types of eclipses:
- Total solar eclipse - if the earth's darkest phase is visible, the fire disk is completely closed and there is a golden crown effect.
- Private, when the shadow is obscured by one edge of the Sun.
- The solar eclipse is annular - it arises if the earth satellite is too far away, and when you look at the star, a bright ring forms.
How dangerous is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is a phenomenon that since ancient times has simultaneously attracted and horrified people. Realizing its nature, there is no point in fear, but eclipses really carry a colossal energy that sometimes poses a danger to people. Doctors and psychologists consider the impact of these phenomena on the human body, arguing that hypersensitive people, elderly and pregnant, are particularly vulnerable. Three days before the event and three days after, such health problems as:
- headache;
- pressure jumps;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases.
What can not be done in a solar eclipse?
From a medical point of view, it is very dangerous to look at the sun during an eclipse, because the sun produces a large amount of ultraviolet (and during the eclipse the eyes are not protected and absorb dangerous doses of UV radiation), which is the cause of various eye diseases. Astrologers also talk about the effect of a solar eclipse on people's lives and their behavior. Experts in this field do not recommend starting new business at this time in order to avoid failures, to take on something spontaneously and make complex decisions on which further fate depends. Of what to do in a solar eclipse is not worth it, we can distinguish:
- alcohol and drug abuse;
- conflict resolution, as people become more irritable;
- complex medical procedures;
- participation in mass actions.
When is the next solar eclipse?
In ancient times, the moment when the luminary disappears behind the moon disk, it was impossible to predict. Nowadays, scientists call exact dates and places where it is best to watch the eclipse and the moment of the maximum phase, when the moon completely closes the fire disk with its shadow. The calendar for 2018 is as follows:
- Private blackout can be seen on Antarctica, in southern Argentina and Chile on the night of February 15, 2018.
- On July 13, at the southern latitudes (in Australia, Oceania, Antarctica), a partial closure of the Sun can be observed. The maximum phase is 06:02 in Moscow.
- The closest solar eclipse for residents of Russia, Ukraine, Mongolia, China, Canada and Scandinavia will come on August 11, 2018 at 12:47.
Solar eclipse - interesting facts
Even people who do not understand astronomy are interested in: how often there is a solar eclipse, what becomes of it, how long this strange phenomenon lasts. Many facts about him are known to everyone and do not surprise anyone. But there are interesting information about the eclipse, known to a few.
- Observe the situation when the fire disk is completely hidden from the eyes, in the entire solar system is possible only on Earth.
- At any point of the planet eclipses can be seen on average once every 360 years.
- The maximum area of overlap of the Sun by a moon shadow is 80%.
- In China, the first recorded eclipse was found, which happened in 1050 BC.
- The ancient Chinese believed that when eclipsing the "sunny dog" eats the Sun. They began to beat the drums to drive away the celestial predator from the luminary. He had to be scared and return the stolen goods to the sky.
- When there is a solar eclipse, the lunar shadow moves along the surface of the Earth at a tremendous speed - up to 2 km per second.
- Scientists have calculated: after 600 million years eclipses will cease altogether, because the satellite will move away from the planet for a long distance.