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5 things you should know about the Solar Eclipse

 

via PAGASA-DOST
via PAGASA-DOST

 

Thought it was a unique experience to witness a Total Solar Eclipse today, March 9, 2015 at 8:59 AM 10:14 AM in the Philippines, we only experienced a Partial Solar eclipse, wherein the Sun’s surface area was covered by the Moon by up to 80%. This is because this year, the Moon is positioned in between the Sun and the Earth–a position that enabled Indonesia, on the other hand, to experience a Total Solar Eclipse.

via PAGASA-DOST
via PAGASA-DOST

A Total Solar Eclipse is a rare phenomenon that happens once in every 18 months, and can be seen identically after 18 years and 11 days, which is also called as “Saros Cycle.”

Photo courtesy of Ramon Santiago (View of Partial Solar Eclipse over Pasig City)
Photo courtesy of Ramon Santiago (View of Partial Solar Eclipse over Pasig City)

Here are more facts about Solar Eclipses:

 

• Solar eclipses have 3 types: the Partial, Annular and the Total. The Partial Eclipse doesn’t cover the Sun completely. In the Annular Eclipse, the Moon is able to block the Sun, but the solar eclipse is surrounded by a corona or “halo” because of either two things: 1) the Earth is far from the Moon, or 2) the Earth is closer to the Sun. These circumstances limit the coverage of the Moon. The Total Eclipse happens when the Moon completely obstructs the Sun. The only thing visible in this phase is a fainter solar corona.
• The Total Solar Eclipse today has a maximum time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds. But last July 16, 2000, the Pacific Ocean, Eastern Asia and Australia held the longest recorded Solar Eclipse with 106 minutes and 25 seconds. Meanwhile, the Total Solar Eclipse that happened on August 13, 1859 had the shortest recorded time with just 3 seconds.
• The Lunar Eclipse can only be seen during the Full Moon at night, while the Solar Eclipse occurs in the daytime with the New Moon.
• When there is a Total Solar Eclipse, unfortunate are those who are in the North and South Poles as only a Partial Solar Eclipse can be viewed.
• For those who did not see the Partial Solar Eclipse, the next Total Solar Eclipse can be seen in the Philippines 26 years from now! Mark your calendars on April 20, 2042!

 

 

Source(s):

 

http://www.space.com/30669-10-surprising-lunar-eclipse-facts.html

Solar Eclipse Facts

http://www.livescience.com/32671-whats-a-solar-eclipse.html