How to safely watch Solar Eclipse 2017: Advice from an astronomer

Solar Eclipse

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Solar eclipse

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	A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, blocking out the Sun&#39;s rays and casting a shadow on parts of the Earth.</div>
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	<strong>How does solar eclipse occur?</strong></div>
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	For a solar eclipse to take place, the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth must be aligned in a perfect or near-perfect straight line &ndash; an alignment astronomers call syzygy. This happens around new Moon every lunar month.</div>
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	<strong>Types of solar eclipse</strong></div>
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	There are four types of solar eclipses. How much of the Sun&#39;s disk is eclipsed &ndash; the eclipse magnitude &ndash; depends on which part of the Moon&#39;s shadow falls on the Earth.</div>
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	A <strong>partial solar eclipse</strong> occurs when the Moon only partially obscures the Sun&#39;s disk and casts only its penumbra on the Earth.</div>
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	An <strong>annular solar eclipse</strong> takes place when the Moon&#39;s disk is not big enough to cover the entire disk of the Sun, and the Sun&#39;s outer edges remain visible to form a ring of fire in the sky. An annular eclipse of the Sun takes place when the Moon is near apogee, and the Moon&#39;s antumbra falls on the Earth.</div>
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	A t<strong>otal solar eclipse</strong> happens when the Moon completely covers the Sun. It can take place only when the Moon is near perigee, the point of the Moon&#39;s orbit closest to the Earth. You can see a total solar eclipse only if you are in the path where the Moon casts its darkest shadow, the umbra.</div>
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	A <strong>hybrid solar eclipse</strong>, also known as an annular-total eclipse, is the rarest type. It occurs when the same eclipse changes from an annular to a total solar eclipse, and/or vice versa, along the eclipse&#39;s path.</div>
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	<strong>When is the next solar eclipse?</strong></div>
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	<strong>June 21, 2020:</strong> Solar Eclipse (Annular) in South/East Europe, Much of Asia, North in Australia, Much of Africa, Pacific, Indian Ocean</div>
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	<strong>December 14, 2020:</strong> Solar Eclipse (Total) in southern parts of Africa, much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica</div>
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	<strong>June 10, 2021</strong>: Solar Eclipse (Annular) in much of Europe and Asia, North/West Africa, Much of North America, Atlantic, Arctic</div>
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	<strong>December 4, 2021:</strong> Solar Eclipse (Total) in South Australia, southern Africa, South in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica</div>
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	<strong>April 30, 2022: </strong>Solar Eclipse (Partial) in South/West South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Antarctica</div>
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	<strong>How to see solar eclipse?</strong></div>
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	Never look directly at the Sun, eclipsed or otherwise, without any protective eyewear. The Sun&rsquo;s UV radiation can burn the retinas in your eyes leading to their permanent damage or even blindness.</div>
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	The best way to safely watch a total solar eclipse is to wear protective eclipse glasses or to project an image of the eclipsed Sun using a pinhole projector.</div>
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	<strong>Difference between solar eclipse and lunar eclipse</strong></div>
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	A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, and the Earth&#39;s shadow obscures the Moon or a portion of it. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or a portion of the Sun.</div>
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What is Solar Eclipse - Learn about the timings, schedule, effects, news of Solar Eclipse on the world here at Business Standard.

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