The solar eclipse occurring on June 21, 2020, is not only the last one this year, but is also going to very special. During the eclipse, the Sun will appear as a ‘ring of fire’ for a brief moment, dazzling all those who are fortunate to view this cosmic show.
The eclipse will commence when the disc of the Moon begins to cover the face of the Sun
The solar eclipse occurring on June 21, 2020, is not only the last one this year, but is also going to very special. During the eclipse, the Sun will appear as a ‘ring of fire’ for a brief moment, dazzling all those who are fortunate to view this cosmic show.
Can I see it from my place?
In Coimbatore, we only get to see a partial solar eclipse this time around. The enchanting ‘ring of fire’ will be visible from parts of north India. Specifically, a narrow band, called the path of annularity, will pass through Anupgarh, Sri Vijaynagar, Suratgarh, Ellenabad, Sirsa, Ratia, Jakhal, Pehowa, Kurukshetra, Ladwa, Yamunanagar, Jagadhri, Behat Dehradun, Chamba, Tehri, Agastmuni, Chamoli Gopeshwar, Pipalkoti, Tapowan and Joshimath. But people in the rest of India need not despair; a partial eclipse will be visible from everywhere in the country.
The eclipse will commence when the disc of the Moon begins to cover the face of the Sun. The annular phase of the eclipse will be first seen over Ghersana at the western boundary of India at 11:50 am. At this location, the first contact, sparśa, will commence around 10:12 am and the fourth contact, mokṣa, which is the ending of the eclipse, will take place around 1:36 pm.
The maximum eclipse, madyakÄla or parvÄnta, which is the maximum obstruction of the Sun, will be around 11:50 am. Bhuj will be the first town in India to see the beginning of the eclipse 9:58 am. The eclipse will end four hours later at Dibrugarh at 2:29 pm. From place to place, the timings will differ by few seconds.
If you happen to watch the eclipse at this time from anywhere in the path annularity, the Sun would appear as a dazzling ring of fire.
Will solar eclipse 2020 mark the end of coronavirus?
No. Eclipse is an apparent phenomenon, and no mysterious rays emanate from the Sun on the day of eclipse. Just like an umbrella temporarily obstructs the Sun and provide shade, the Moon’s shadow obstructs the view of the Sun. Therefore, it is not an event occurring in the Sun or a phenomenon that affects it.
Two to five solar eclipses occur every year, and the eclipse does not impact the microorganism on the Earth.
There is also no harm in eating and going out during the eclipse. Despite fake claims being circulated on social media, various studies have shown that cooked food does not get spoiled, nor going out and watching the eclipse is harmful. It is a natural celestial show, and to fear them is not human.
How to safely watch the eclipse?
Any bright object is a threat to our eyes. Staring at bright light may cause harm from temporary discomfort to permanent retinal damage. That is why welders’ glass are donned, and it is advised not to look at a flash of lightning. Eclipse or otherwise, staring at the bright Sun is risky.
Do not use goggles, exposed x-ray films or smoked glass. They are not safe enough. One can use a solar filter made explicitly for watching the eclipse or project the image of the Sun using a telescope or pinhole camera. Usually, astronomical institutions, planetariums, science centres may be making special arrangements for making solar filters available to the public.
The solar eclipse occurring on June 21, 2020, is not only the last one this year, but is also going to very special. During the eclipse, the Sun will appear as a ‘ring of fire’ for a brief moment, dazzling all those who are fortunate to view this cosmic show.
Can I see it from my place?
In Coimbatore, we only get to see a partial solar eclipse this time around. The enchanting ‘ring of fire’ will be visible from parts of north India. Specifically, a narrow band, called the path of annularity, will pass through Anupgarh, Sri Vijaynagar, Suratgarh, Ellenabad, Sirsa, Ratia, Jakhal, Pehowa, Kurukshetra, Ladwa, Yamunanagar, Jagadhri, Behat Dehradun, Chamba, Tehri, Agastmuni, Chamoli Gopeshwar, Pipalkoti, Tapowan and Joshimath. But people in the rest of India need not despair; a partial eclipse will be visible from everywhere in the country.
The eclipse will commence when the disc of the Moon begins to cover the face of the Sun. The annular phase of the eclipse will be first seen over Ghersana at the western boundary of India at 11:50 am. At this location, the first contact, sparśa, will commence around 10:12 am and the fourth contact, mokṣa, which is the ending of the eclipse, will take place around 1:36 pm.
The maximum eclipse, madyakÄla or parvÄnta, which is the maximum obstruction of the Sun, will be around 11:50 am. Bhuj will be the first town in India to see the beginning of the eclipse 9:58 am. The eclipse will end four hours later at Dibrugarh at 2:29 pm. From place to place, the timings will differ by few seconds.
If you happen to watch the eclipse at this time from anywhere in the path annularity, the Sun would appear as a dazzling ring of fire.
Will solar eclipse 2020 mark the end of coronavirus?
No. Eclipse is an apparent phenomenon, and no mysterious rays emanate from the Sun on the day of eclipse. Just like an umbrella temporarily obstructs the Sun and provide shade, the Moon’s shadow obstructs the view of the Sun. Therefore, it is not an event occurring in the Sun or a phenomenon that affects it.
Two to five solar eclipses occur every year, and the eclipse does not impact the microorganism on the Earth.
There is also no harm in eating and going out during the eclipse. Despite fake claims being circulated on social media, various studies have shown that cooked food does not get spoiled, nor going out and watching the eclipse is harmful. It is a natural celestial show, and to fear them is not human.
How to safely watch the eclipse?
Any bright object is a threat to our eyes. Staring at bright light may cause harm from temporary discomfort to permanent retinal damage. That is why welders’ glass are donned, and it is advised not to look at a flash of lightning. Eclipse or otherwise, staring at the bright Sun is risky.
Do not use goggles, exposed x-ray films or smoked glass. They are not safe enough. One can use a solar filter made explicitly for watching the eclipse or project the image of the Sun using a telescope or pinhole camera. Usually, astronomical institutions, planetariums, science centres may be making special arrangements for making solar filters available to the public.