How long does a total solar eclipse last?
Question:
Answer:
7 minutes (maybe 7.5) is about the maximum possible for totality.
The length of time can vary by several minutes because the earth's orbit around the sun is eliptical, and so is the moon's orbit around the earth. That means that the sun and moon can be different distances to the earth. Total eclises can be as short as just under two minutes, or as long as seven.
It varies, depending on the precise distance to the Sun and Moon, and where you are with respect to the zone of totality. The maximum time is around 5 minutes, the minimum time is zero. Typically, two or three minutes.
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