What to know about Saturday’s ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse

The path of the eclipse will begin in eastern Canada, then move across the Arctic, Greenland, and Russia before ending in northeastern Siberia. However, those outside the path of totality will still be able to witness a partial eclipse.

It’s important to remember that looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage. Special eclipse glasses or solar filters should always be used when observing the sun.

WHAT IS AN ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE?

An annular solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth but doesn’t completely block out the sun. During an annular eclipse, the moon appears smaller than the sun, causing a “ring of fire” effect around the edges of the moon. This is because the moon’s orbit around the earth is elliptical, which means that its distance from the earth varies at different times.

 When the moon is at its furthest point from the earth during an eclipse, it appears smaller than the sun and doesn’t completely cover it, resulting in an annular eclipse. Annular eclipses are not as well-known as total eclipses, but they are just as fascinating to observe. They occur only a few times a year and can only be seen from certain parts of the world. If you’re lucky enough to witness an annular solar eclipse, it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE A RING OF FIRE?

The phenomenon you are referring to is known as an annular solar eclipse. It occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth but is too far from the earth to completely block out the sun. As a result, the sun appears as a bright ring around the dark silhouette of the moon, giving the impression of a “ring of fire”. The exact shape and size of the ring depend on the distance between the moon and the earth at the time of the eclipse. This is a rare and beautiful event that can be safely viewed with proper eye protection. Many people around the world gather to witness this celestial spectacle and marvel at the wonders of our universe.

WHERE WILL IT BE VISIBLE AND WHAT IS ITS PATH?

According to the U.S. space agency NASA, the path in the United States where the maximum obscuring of the sun will occur on Saturday runs through parts of several states beginning at 9:13 a.m. PDT (12:13 p.m. EDT/1613 GMT) in Oregon, then California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The path then crosses over parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before ending at sunset in the Atlantic Ocean. People in much larger parts of North America, Central America and South America will be able to see lesser obscuring of the sun – still an impressive sight.

The visibility of an object in the sky depends on various factors such as its altitude, brightness, and the time of day. In the case of a satellite, its path is also a determining factor. Satellites generally orbit around the Earth in a path known as an orbit. The path of a satellite can be classified into two categories: low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO).

LEO satellites orbit at an altitude of around 1,200 km above the Earth’s surface, while GEO satellites orbit at a much higher altitude of around 36,000 km. LEO satellites travel at a much faster speed than GEO satellites, which means they complete one orbit around the Earth in around 90 minutes. This makes them visible from different parts of the Earth at different times of the day.

GEO satellites, on the other hand, travel at the same speed as the rotation of the Earth. This means that they remain stationary above a particular location on the Earth’s surface. As a result, they are visible from a particular region on the Earth at all times.

In summary, the visibility and path of a satellite depend on its altitude, brightness, and orbit. LEO satellites are visible from different parts of the Earth at different times of the day, while GEO satellites remain stationary above a particular location on the Earth’s surface.

HOW BIG ARE THE EARTH, MOON AND SUN?

The Earth, Moon and Sun are all unique celestial bodies that have their own distinct size and characteristics.

The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and has a diameter of approximately 12,742 kilometers, making it the fifth largest planet in the Solar System. It has a mass of 5.97 x 10^24 kilograms and is the only known planet in the universe to have life.

The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite and has a diameter of approximately 3,476 kilometers, which is about one-quarter of the Earth’s diameter. It has a mass of 7.34 x 10^22 kilograms and is the fifth largest moon in the Solar System.

The Sun, on the other hand, is a star and is the center of the Solar System. It has a diameter of approximately 1.39 million kilometers, which is about 109 times larger than the Earth’s diameter. It has a mass of 1.99 x 10^30 kilograms and accounts for about 99.86% of the total mass of the Solar System.

In summary, the Earth, Moon and Sun are all vastly different in size and characteristics, but they all play a crucial role in the functioning of the Solar System.

WHAT IS THE SAFEST WAY TO WATCH AN ECLIPSE?

Watching an eclipse can be an exciting and memorable experience. However, it is important to keep in mind that viewing an eclipse can be dangerous if not done correctly. The safest way to watch an eclipse is by using protective eyewear specifically designed for viewing the sun.

Standard sunglasses or homemade filters are not safe for viewing an eclipse, as they do not offer adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Special eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are recommended, as they have been tested and certified to meet international safety standards.

It is also important to make sure that the eclipse glasses or solar viewers are not damaged or scratched, as this can cause damage to your eyes. Additionally, do not look at the sun through a camera, telescope, or binoculars without proper solar filters, as this can also cause permanent eye damage.

If you are unable to obtain proper eyewear, there are other safe ways to view an eclipse. One popular method is to create a pinhole projector, which allows you to view the eclipse indirectly. However, it is important to note that this method does not provide as clear of a view as using eclipse glasses or solar viewers.

Remember, protecting your eyes is crucial when viewing an eclipse. By using the proper equipment and following safety guidelines, you can enjoy this amazing natural phenomenon without risking your vision.

HOW DO SOLAR ECLIPSES DIFFER FROM LUNAR ECLIPSES?

Solar eclipses and lunar eclipses are both fascinating astronomical events that occur when the Earth, Sun, and Moon align in a certain way. However, there are some key differences between the two types of eclipses.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light and casting a shadow on the Earth. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun in its orbit. There are three types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. In a partial solar eclipse, the Moon only covers part of the Sun, and in an annular eclipse, the Moon is too far from the Earth to completely cover the Sun, creating a “ring of fire” effect.

On the other hand, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon, when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon in its orbit. There are three types of lunar eclipses: total, partial, and penumbral. In a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is fully covered by the Earth’s shadow, giving it a reddish hue known as a “blood moon.” In a partial lunar eclipse, only part of the Moon is covered by the Earth’s shadow, and in a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the Earth’s outer shadow, causing a subtle darkening effect.

Overall, while both solar and lunar eclipses are remarkable events to witness, they differ in terms of how they occur and the types of shadows they cast on the Earth and Moon.