2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8: Know the science behind eclipses - A layman's guide

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Photos of an annular total solar eclipse (left) and a total solar eclipse (right). Left, Annular Eclipse: Stefan Seip (Oct 3, 2005). Right, Total Eclipse, NASA/Aubrey Gemignani (August 21, 2017) (Image credit: NASA website)

According to NASA, there's a fascinating science behind why eclipses happen. Eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth line up in a special way. Depending on how they align, we see different types of eclipses.

In this layman's guide, we delve into the science behind eclipses, unraveling the mystery behind these celestial events. From the fundamental principles governing eclipses to the upcoming 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, we unlock the secrets of these awe-inspiring cosmic occurrences.

Why do eclipses happen?

• Eclipses happen when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a specific way. The type of eclipse depends on the alignment of these celestial bodies. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth.
• Solar eclipses only happen during the new moon, when the Moon and Sun are aligned on the same side of Earth.
• Solar eclipses should happen every month during the new moon, but they don't, because the Moon's path around Earth is a bit tilted. So, during most new moons, the Moon either floats above or below the Sun, missing Earth's shadow.
• The Moon's orbit around Earth is tilted by about five degrees, causing solar eclipses to be rare occurrences.
• There are two eclipse seasons each year when the new moon crosses the Earth-Sun plane, providing opportunities for solar eclipses.

• Eclipses happen because of the unique alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth.
• The Sun and Moon appear to be the same size in the sky but the Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, and it's also approximately 400 times farther away.
• This alignment allows the Moon to fully block the Sun during total solar eclipses.
• However, since the Moon's orbit around Earth isn't perfectly circular, there are times when it appears slightly smaller than the Sun.
• Eclipses occurring during this phase of the Moon's orbit are known as annular eclipses, where a "ring of fire" surrounds the darkened center of the Sun.

Also Read: Indian-origin scientist Aroh Barjatya-led team to decode total solar eclipse effects

How is a Total Solar Eclipse unique?

• A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, completely obscuring the Sun's face.
• This alignment is what makes total solar eclipses possible and creates the striking effect of daytime turning into darkness for a few moments.
• People situated within the central path of the Moon's shadow experience a total eclipse.
• During a total solar eclipse, the sky becomes significantly dark.
• With clear skies, viewers can witness the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, which is typically too faint to see against the Sun's brightness.

How rare are total solar eclipses? Fascinating facts

These statistics provide an understanding of the frequency of different types of solar eclipses.

• Over a 5,000-year period from 2000 BCE to 3000 CE, Earth will experience a total of 11,898 eclipses of the Sun.
• Among these, there will be 4,200 partial eclipses, 3,956 annular eclipses, 3,173 total eclipses, and 569 hybrid eclipses.
• This means means every 1,000 years there are 840 partial eclipses, 791 annular eclipses, 635 total eclipses, and 114 hybrid eclipses.
• On average, there are approximately 2-3 solar eclipses of all kinds each year.
• Specifically, there are about 2 total solar eclipses every 3 years.Also Read: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: NASA reveals key stats