Eclipse Apprentice Training

A total solar eclipse can only be experienced if you are located on the “Path of Totality.” The path of totality is created by the dark shadow of the Moon. This dark shadow is created by the Moon passing in between the Sun and the Earth and completely blocking the Sun’s light from view. This dark shadow is called the Umbra. Since the Earth continues to rotate on its axis and both the Moon and Earth keep moving on their orbital paths, this dark umbral shadow moves. The umbral shadow moves across Earth’s surface forming an imaginary line. The imaginary line created by the darkest shadow is the eclipse path. For a total solar eclipse, this path is called the path of totality. Anyone within the path of totality during a total solar eclipse will experience a total solar eclipse. If you are near, but NOT on this path, you will be within the lighter shadow and you will experience a partial solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse you MUST protect your eyes with special eclipse glasses or use solar filters on telescopes and cameras or you could damage your eyes! You may briefly remove your eclipse eclipses ONLY during the few minutes of Totality.

A partial solar eclipse can be experienced when you are located in the penumbral shadow during a total solar eclipse or during an annular eclipse. From locations near but NOT on the eclipse path, the Moon only blocks part of the Sun’s light. This makes the Sun look like a crescent shape. Since not all of the Sun’s light is blocked, there is a lighter shadow cast on Earth. This lighter shadow is called the Penumbra. A partial solar eclipse can only be experienced if you are standing in the penumbral shadow. Since the Moon only covers a part of the sun, it is called a partial solar eclipse. During a partial solar eclipse you MUST protect your eyes with special eclipse glasses or use solar filters on telescopes and cameras or you could damage your eyes!

An annular solar eclipse can only be experienced if you are located on the “Path of Annularity”. During an annular eclipse the Moon is further away from the Earth than during a total solar eclipse. So, the path of annularity is created by an extension of the dark umbral shadow of the Moon. This extension of the dark shadow is created by the Moon passing in between the Sun and the Earth and blocking most, but not all of the Sun’s light from view because it is further away. The Moon does not appear big enough to cover the entire face of the Sun.  The Sun’s outer edge is still visible.  This makes it look like a ring of fire in the sky. The extension of the umbral shadow is called the Antumbra.

Since the Earth continues to rotate on its axis and both the Moon and Earth keep moving on their orbital paths, this dark antumbral shadow moves. The antumbral shadow moves across Earth’s surface forming an imaginary line. The imaginary line created by the dark shadow is the annular eclipse path or the “Path of Annularity.” Anyone within the “Path of Annularity” during an annular solar eclipse will experience a total solar eclipse. 

During an annular solar eclipse you MUST protect your eyes with special eclipse glasses or use solar filters on telescopes and cameras or you could damage your eyes!