Solar Eclipse Observation and Explanation

Solar Eclipse Observation

• A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is positioned directly between the sun and Earth.
• From a point on Earth where the moon is directly between the sun and Earth, a total solar eclipse will be visible.
• From a point on Earth where the moon is not directly between the sun and Earth, a total solar eclipse will not be visible.
• If the moon is not directly between the sun and Earth, but is positioned in a way that blocks part of the sun, a partial solar eclipse will occur.
• It's important to never look directly at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection.

### Solar Eclipse Explanation

• In a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the sun and Earth.
• Different parts of the Earth will experience different types of eclipses depending on their position relative to the moon and sun.
• During a partial eclipse, part of the sun is visible while the moon blocks another portion.
• During a total eclipse, the entire sun is blocked by the moon.

Fully covered, partially covered: Total eclipse, partial eclipse

• A line drawn from a point on Earth to the moon can depict which parts of the sun are visible or blocked.
• If the line from Earth touches the moon in a way that blocks the entire sun, a total solar eclipse is visible.
• If the line from Earth touches the moon in a way that only blocks part of the sun, a partial solar eclipse is visible.
• People who are on Earth where the sun is fully blocked experience a total eclipse.
• People who are on Earth where a portion of the sun remains visible, but some of the sun's rays are blocked, experience a partial eclipse.
• The extent of the eclipse determines the experience, with a total eclipse representing a complete blockage and a partial eclipse blocking only a portion of the sun.

### Figure 1

• A line drawn from a point on Earth to the moon shows which parts of the sun are visible or blocked.
• The moon being slightly off-center results in different portions of the sun being covered.
• The side of the line where the sun's rays are blocked indicates a partial eclipse.
• The side of the line where the sun's rays are not blocked, indicates a visible sun.
• The diagram shows the sun's rays as arrows.