15+ Interesting Facts About Solar Eclipse You Should Know

If you have ever read any interesting facts about solar eclipses, you know what this phenomenon is. For the unaware, a solar eclipse is when the moon comes in between the sun and the earth, making the sun barely visible. In India, it is known as ‘Surya Grahan’ as many people consider it a sign of great cosmic upheaval. One legend related to facts about Earth states that a demon Rahu once swallowed the sun, causing darkness to fall upon the land. There is more to solar eclipse which is seen and less heard of. Isn’t it a curious topic? In this blog, you will read more interesting facts about solar eclipses which may blow your brains. So let’s begin. 

Facts About Solar Eclipse

In ancient Greece, a solar eclipse was interpreted as a divine sign of doom approaching. It was believed that the gods, angered by human transgressions, were temporarily abandoning the earth, causing the sun to disappear. Here are some more facts about the solar eclipse. 

1. The word “eclipse” itself originates from the Greek term “ekleipsis,” which translates to “being abandoned.” This celestial event was viewed with fear and superstition, as it was seen as a harbinger of misfortune and calamities.
2. There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, annular, and hybrid. The type experienced depends on the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, as well as the observer’s location on Earth.

3. Solar eclipses only occur during the New Moon phase, when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. However, not every New Moon results in an eclipse due to the Moon’s tilted orbit.
4. A total solar eclipse, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, is a rare event for any given location. On average, a specific spot on Earth experiences a total solar eclipse only once every 375 years.
5. The path where totality occurs is relatively narrow, typically about 160 kilometres wide, and can stretch thousands of miles across the Earth’s surface. Only those within this path will see the total eclipse.
6. The maximum duration of totality during a solar eclipse can last up to 7.5 minutes. However, the average duration is usually around 2 to 3 minutes.
7. During a total solar eclipse, temperatures can drop noticeably, sometimes by as much as 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, as the Sun’s light is temporarily obscured.
8. Here is a fact about animals. They often react to sudden darkness during an eclipse by exhibiting unusual behaviour, such as birds stopping their chirping or other wildlife preparing for sleep.
9. Throughout history, solar eclipses have been viewed as omens or signs from the gods. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Chinese, placed great importance on predicting eclipses.
10. Scientists predict that in about 600 million years, total solar eclipses will no longer occur because the Moon’s orbit is gradually moving away from Earth, making it too small in the sky to cover the Sun completely.
11. While there are typically 2 to 5 solar eclipses each year globally, only a fraction of the population will witness totality due to the limited path of the eclipse. However, everyone within the continental U.S. will see at least a partial eclipse during major events.

You might also like to read 25+ Facts About Sun: A Blazing Star of the Solar System

Facts About Solar Eclipse Glasses

1. You need solar eclipse glasses throughout a total solar eclipse. The only exception to this rule is the brief period of about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, also known as totality. 
2. Looking at the solar eclipse without proper eye protection or solar eclipse glasses can harm your eyes by damaging your retina. 
3. Some people even suffer blindness after looking directly at the solar eclipse, also known as solar retinopathy.
4. Solar eclipse glasses are specifically made with solar filters. They are sold only after they conform to a worldwide safety standard known as ISO 12312-2.
5. Solar eclipse glasses are known to block about 0.001% and 0.00005% of visible light. 
6. They are made of black polymer or silvery mylar that can block 100% of infrared and UV light. 

When was the last Solar Eclipse?

The last solar eclipse occurred on October 14, 2023, and it was an annular solar eclipse. This type of eclipse happens when the Moon is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun, resulting in a “ring of fire” appearance. The eclipse was visible in parts of North America, Central America, and South America, including the United States, Colombia, and Brazil.

Also Read: The 7 Layers of the Sun: Features, Colour, Diagram & Structure

When is the Next Solar Eclipse?

The next solar eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024, and it will be an annular solar eclipse. This type of eclipse will be visible in parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile, and southern Argentina, where observers will see the Moon cover the centre of the Sun, creating a “ring of fire” effect. Those located outside the path of annularity will experience a partial solar eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is obscured by the Moon.

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