My Science School

 

 

What is the Diamond Ring effect?

Just before the Moon covers the Sun completely or just after the Moon uncovers the Sun during a total solar eclipse, a tiny portion of the Sun’s bright disc becomes visible on the Moon’s dark disc, giving an impression of a ring with a brilliant diamond on it.

 

 

 

 

 

What is node?

The Moon’s orbit is inclined at an angle of about 50 relative to the Earth. The monthly path of the Moon and the ecliptic are imagined to be two hoops hinged along a diameter and slightly displaced at an angle to each other, and then the hinges will represent the points of intersection known as nodes.

 

 

 

 

 

How does a lunar eclipse occur?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon enters the shadow of the Earth and when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. 

What is the relation between the phase of the Moon and a lunar eclipse?

When the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon during a Full Moon, a lunar eclipse occurs if all the three bodies are in a line.

 

What causes a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the view of the Sun.

Can a solar eclipse be seen from all places on Earth?

No. the eclipse is actually a shadow transit where the Moon’s shadow crosses the surface of the Earth. Hence, only observers on Earth along the line of transit can see it.

How long can a solar eclipse last?

Not more than seven minutes and fifty eight seconds.

Why is solar eclipses comparatively rare?

Unless is a new Moon near the node, solar eclipses cannot occur. A solar eclipse occurs during a new Moon if the Sun, Moon and Earth are in line. It is, therefore, a rare phenomenon.

 

 

What are partial and total solar eclipses?

When the Moon partially covers the Sun it is partial solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely covered by the Moon.

What is an annular solar eclipse?

Sometimes, the disc of the Moon appears smaller than that of the Sun in which case it is an annular eclipse, where the rim of the Sun’s disc remains visible around the dark disc of the Moon.

 

How does an annular eclipse occur?

The Sun and the Moon generally have the same apparent size in the sky. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon just covers the Sun completely. However, if there is an eclipse while the Moon is at apogee, then the apparent size of the Moon becomes slightly smaller, resulting in an annular solar eclipse.

How do partial and total eclipses occur?

A shadow of the Earth or the Moon consists of two regions- a dark central region called ‘umbra” and a less dark outer region around it called a “penumbra”. The eclipse will be total only if the observer in located in the zone of totality.

What is the maximum possible width of the zone of totality?

Since the Moon’s shadow just touches the Earth, the zone of totality is very narrow, having a maximum width of not more than 270 km approximately.

Can an observer in a supersonic aircraft follow the Moon’s shadow during a total solar eclipse so that it can be observed for a longer period?

It is possible to follow the Moon’s shadow in a supersonic aircraft during a total solar eclipse, thereby extending the observation period to about 40 minutes.

At what speed does the Moon’s shadow sweep across the Earth during a total solar eclipse?

About 2250 km per hour.