The Next Solar Eclipse - How Solar Eclipses Occur

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The Next Solar Eclipse & How Solar Eclipses Occur

The next solar eclipse dates, times and locations from 2008 to 2012. Can you maybe see an eclipse in your country soon? Lets take a look at how solar eclipses occur and when there might be one visible from your location.
"An annular eclipse will be visible from a 240 to 300 kilometre-wide track that traverses eastern Asia, the northern Pacific Ocean and the western United States." (Source - Fred Espenak, Nasa)

Countdown to Next Eclipse Day

Next Eclipse Day: May 20, 2012

How Solar Eclipses Occur

Looking forward to the next solar eclipse and wondering how they come about? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon's path takes it between the earth and the sun thus forming a shadow over part of the earth below. This happens only during a new moon when the sun and moon are in conjunction as observed from earth. A shadow is cast behind the moon consisting of a dark inner shadow known as the umbra and a fainter outer shadow known as the penumbra. When a part of the earth falls into the dark shadow a total eclipse is observed at that location. Areas shaded in the penumbra see a partial eclipse.

A solar eclipse does not happen at every new moon as the moon's orbit is not in perfect alignment between earth and the sun. Its orbit is at an angle of about 5% relative to the earth's orbit around the sun. This means the moon's shadow usually passes above or below the earth at new moon time. The moon's orbit around the earth is elliptical so its apparent size varies. Sometimes the moon will appear to cover the sun's disk completely (known as a total eclipse) this leaves only the sun's corona visible. At other times the moon does not appear quite large enough to completely obscure the sun so it leaves a ring of sunlight visible around the moon. This particular type is known as an Annular eclipse.

How a Solar Eclipse Occurs (not to scale) 

Interested in Astronomy?

Learn about Telescopes and get the Best Amazon Picks on Solar Eclipses

Public & Scientific Interest in Solar Eclipses

Total solar eclipses are not just spectacular to the general public but also of great interest to astronomers because they present an opportunity to study the sun's corona, the super hot gas atmosphere that surrounds the sun. Unfortunately the area of earth in total shadow is only ever a small portion some 150kms wide so the chance of your particular location experiencing one is a small one.

In ancient times solar eclipses were magical events that frightened ordinary folk and foretold of fearful events to come. Astronomers who worked out how to forecast the next solar eclipse were thought of as wise men and future tellers. Today we understand eclipses as the natural phenomena they are. We now look forward to observing them, indeed some enthusiasts known as 'Eclipse-Chasers' will travel far and wide to get the best views.

Viewing Solar Eclipses

Some Specialist Equipment for the Buffs...

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Coronado PST 40mm H-alpha Solar Telescope


Solar Eclipses 2008-2011

January 4 2011 Partial Eclipse

A partial eclipse was visible from much of Europe, North Africa and central Asia. In Western Europe the eclipse was at sunrise while in central Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northwest China a sunset eclipse was observed.

Total Solar Eclipse July 11 2010
Unfortunately the most recent solar eclipse (July 11th) was largely unnoticed as its path was largely over an uninhabited path across the southern Pacific taking in the Cook Islands and Easter Island before ending over far south Chile and Argentina.

The January 2010 Solar Eclipse - Annular Eclipse in Africa/Asia

Annular Eclipse January 2010 - an annular eclipse for a track about 300 kms wide that started in central Africa, crossed the Indian ocean, then continued through Bangladesh and India and on to China.

Outside that central path a partial eclipse was apparent in a wide area including eastern Europe, most of the African continent and large parts of Asia.

The July 2009 Eclipse was a super total eclipse for those living or staying between Mumbai and Shanghai and was probably the most watched eclipse in history due to the populations of the areas it was visible in. Totality was as long as six and a half minutes with a shadow nearly 260 kms wide.

Mixed emotions and reactions were reported in India where some treated it as a significant religious event while of course most others treated it much like westerners, perhaps highlighting how that huge country has gone through such change in recent times.

The January 2009 Eclipse was seen as an annular eclipse from Sumatra, Borneo and southern India. It was visible as a partial eclipse from a much wider area, including the southern third of Africa, Australia, Southeast India and Indonesia.

The August 2008 Eclipse seen from northern Canada, northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia and China as a total solar eclipse.

The February 2008 Eclipse was visible as a partial eclipse from parts of South East Australia and New Zealand. Parts of Antarctica experienced an annular eclipse.

Unfortunately for SE Australia observation was very poor due to weather conditions.

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Predicted Solar Eclipses to 2012 

Viewer Warning

Never attempt to look at the sun without proper eye protection, it is extremely dangerous and can easily cause permanent damage.

Astronomy stores can supply inexpensive filters and special glasses for casual observers and solar filters for amateur telescopes.

Solar Eclipse Vid from 2006

Total Solar Eclipse 2006
by 06solareclipse | video info

2,618 ratings | 1,393,727 views
curated content from YouTube

Some Solar Eclipse Photos from Flickr

Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
Annular Solar Eclipse 2012 Pacifica, CA by anitakhart
DSC_0948 by alexxis
DSC_0928 by alexxis
DSC_0944e by alexxis
DSC_0960 by alexxis
automatically generated by Flickr

New Guestbook

  • dilipsvarma Aug 22, 2011 @ 6:44 am | delete
    informative lens
  • beerhead Feb 19, 2011 @ 7:09 am | delete
    Wonderful and informative lens the video is awesome thank's lens rolling with my eclipses lens.
  • blackspanielgallery Feb 4, 2011 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    Nice lens
  • shivani setia Aug 16, 2009 @ 12:44 pm | delete
    i like this information the most because it helped me to complete my school project.........thanx once again
  • Snozzle Aug 14, 2009 @ 11:27 am | delete
    I've only seen one Solar Eclipse but it's something I won't forget. I can understand how they must have appeared very magical in years gone by. 5* lens.
    Mike
  • sheryl Mar 9, 2009 @ 4:41 am | delete
    enjoyed it,plzz add me in fs.chee_mac12@yahoo.com
  • starsam Feb 16, 2009 @ 8:51 am | delete
    Your lens would be a great addition to the 'Solar Technology and Solar Energy' Group
    ( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/solar )
    Feel free to add it anytime!
  • ElizabethJeanAllen Feb 14, 2009 @ 4:37 pm | delete
    I make a point of going over how an eclipse occures and remind my students to watch for them. Its a great experience and spikes thier interest in science.
    Great lens
    Lizzy
  • charles Aug 5, 2008 @ 4:35 am | delete
    enjoyed it

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AidanJames

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