Eclipse Soundscapes Apprentice Training

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon completely blocks the Sun from view for a brief amount of time. This creates a shadow on Earth. A total solar eclipse can only be experienced if you are located in a place on Earth that is in the Moon’s dark umbral shadow.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes almost directly between the sun and the Earth but doesn’t block the entire Sun from view. A partial eclipse happens when you are near, but not on, the eclipse path for an annular eclipse or a total solar eclipse. The Sun and the Moon are not perfectly lined up from that location on Earth. At that location you are not in the darkest shadow. During a partial eclipse you are located in the lighter penumbral shadow. If you are located in the penumbral shadow, looking at the Sun, the Moon would pass in front of the Sun off-center, never fully covering its surface.

An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, but the Moon appears to be too small to completely block the Sun. An annular eclipse happens when the Moon is further away from the Earth. Annular eclipses are often called a “ring of fire” eclipse because the outer edge of the Sun’s light is still visible. This makes the Sun look like a glowing ring. During an annular eclipse, the Moon’s umbra, or dark shadow, is not long enough to reach Earth. Only an extension of the umbra, called the antumbra, reaches the Earth. If you are located in the antumbral shadow, you will experience an annular eclipse.

A hybrid eclipse is when some locations on Earth will experience an annular eclipse and others will experience a total solar eclipse. The curve of the Earth and where you are located is key for a hybrid eclipse. The Moon will be further away from some parts of Earth along the eclipse path making an annular eclipse. On another part of Earth, the moon will be close enough to fully cover the sun, creating a total solar eclipse.