Observer Training
What is Eclipse Maximum (by Eclipse Type)?
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There are different solar eclipses that will be happening in the US soon! There will be an annular eclipse on October 14, 2023 and a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Because these are different kinds of solar eclipses, what you experience will be a little different and the safety information for each type is a little different.
During the annular eclipse the Sun will never be completely blocked by the Moon. At the most exciting part, Annularity, the Sun will look like a glowing ring of fire! If you want to look at the annular eclipse, you must ALWAYS wear special eclipse glasses or use a special solar filter on cameras and telescopes.
During the total solar eclipse, there will be a few minutes when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon making it seem like night. This exciting part is Totality! IF you are on the total solar eclipse path, you can briefly look at the Sun without special eclipse glasses because the Sun’s light is completely blocked. Keep reading to learn more! (Eclipse Safety information)
ANNULAR ECLIPSE
Maximum Phase - Annularity
The maximum phase of the annular eclipse is annularity. Annularity is when the Moon blocks the center of the Sun from view. Eclipses can take hours, but annularity only lasts for less than a minute or as long as twelve minutes. During annularity, the Moon blocks the center of the Sun from view. This makes the Sun look like a “ring of fire.” In fact, annular eclipses are often called “Ring of Fire” eclipses.
Annular Eclipse Safety
The Sun looks like a ring of fire because the Sun’s powerful and bright rays are not completely blocked. The Moon is only blocking the center. Therefore, you MUST wear proper eclipse glasses while looking at the Sun during an annular eclipse during ALL phases, including annularity, or you could damage your eyes. You must also use special solar filters on cameras and telescopes.
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
Maximum Phase - Totality
The maximum phase of the total solar eclipse is totality. Totality is when the Moon blocks the entire Sun. Eclipses can take hours, but Totality only lasts 1-7 minutes. With the Moon blocking the entire Sun, you can see the Sun’s bright outer atmosphere called the corona, which is not usually visible. The Sun’s bright corona looks like soft flower petals surrounding the Moon.
Total Solar Eclipse Safety
If you are on the total solar eclipse path, the few minutes of totality are the ONLY time you can briefly take off your eclipse glasses because the entire bright surface of the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon. As soon as totality passes you MUST put your proper eclipse glasses back on to look at the Sun or you could damage your eyes. You must also use special solar filters on cameras and telescopes.
Vocabulary
Annular eclipse – when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, but appears to be too small to completely cover the Sun
Annularity – when the Moon blocks only the center of the Sun, leaving a ring of light visible during an annular eclipse. Annularity is the maximum phase of an annular solar eclipse.
Corona – outer atmosphere of the Sun
Maximum phase – the phase of an eclipse when the Moon is lined up with the Sun
Total solar eclipse – when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun completely blocking the Sun from view
Totality – when the Moon blocks the entire Sun from view during a total solar eclipse. Totaility is the maximum phase of a total solar eclipse.