Solar Eclipses...WTF?
Question:
What I need to know is:
1. What are Solar Eclipses (Like in General)
2. What is a Partial Eclipse, a Total Eclipse and what is the difference.
3. Why does a Solar Eclipse occur and,
4. How often does it occur.
I just can't find any new info, they all say the same thing. HELP!! please.
Answer:
1. When the moon blocks out the sun's light.
2. ???
3. It occurs because the moon blocks out the sun's light because it is in front of Earth.
4. Every 17 years.
For #2 try Wikipedia.com
A solar eclipse is when the moon casts its shadow directly onto the surface of the Earth.
Partial and total eclipses are simply our perception of the shadow based on where we are when we see it. A total eclipse is seen by observers close enough to the center of the shadow ( the umbra) that the sun's disk is completely blocked by the moon. A partial eclipse is seen by observers in the outer portion of the shadow (the penumbra) and does not block the entire disk, or when the umbra is not even cast onto the Earth's surface because of non-total alignment..
A solar eclipse only occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun.
There is an eclipse somewhere on Earth about once or twice a year, although total eclipses are much rarer. Most eclipses are partial or annular.
More Questions & Answers...