A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. The last time South India got to see “Ring of fire” was on Dec 26th, 2019. 6 months later, today North India falls in the perfect path of the Annular Solar Eclipse while South India will get to see only a Partial Eclipse. Lets see the type of Eclipses.
1. Annular Solar Eclipse – Next one will be due for South India on May 21, 2031
Annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is far from us or when the Sun is near to us so that the Moon’s apparent size is smaller than the Sun. The Moon cannot completely obscure the Sun and the Sun appears as a bright ring around the dark Moon. This ring is called as the “Ring of Fire”. Dec 26th, 2019 was the last time South India saw Annular Solar Eclipse. The next Annular Solar Eclipse for South India will be in May 21, 2031 followed by February 17, 2064 and on June 22, 2085. This is rare indeed. 80’s kids will have chance to see just one more in life in 2031 and thats it.
2. Total Solar Eclipse – Next one will be over South India on April 11, 2070
Total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon manages to completely obscure the Sun. This can happen either when the Moon is near to us so it’ll look bigger than the Sun or when the Sun is far from us so it’ll look smaller than the Moon. However, total solar eclipse only happens if you are in the umbra region. If you are in the penumbra region, you’ll only see a partial solar eclipse. The specialty of Total Solar eclipse is “Diamond Ring”. Next Total Solar Eclipse for South India will be on April 11, 2070 when when totality will be seen via Sri Lanka. I dont think i will make it to see another Total Solar Eclipse.
3. Partial Solar Eclipse
Partial solar eclipse also can occur without total solar eclipse because the umbra does not intersects the Earth. This happens when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are not exactly in line and the Moon only partially blocks the Sun.
4. Where are the location where full Annular eclipse will be visible on June 21, 2020
The annular solar eclipse of June 2020 will start at 9:15 am on June 21 as per Indian Standard Timing (IST). The full eclipse will start from 10:17 am with the maximum eclipse occurring at 12:10 pm.
- First location to see the partial eclipse begin: 09:15:58
- First location to see the full eclipse begin: 10:17:45
- Maximum Eclipse: 12:10:04
- Last location to see the full eclipse end: 14:02:17
- Last location to see the partial eclipse end: 15:04:01
In India, the obscuration of the Sun by the Moon at the time of greatest phase of the annular eclipse will be nearly 98.6%. Obscuration of the Sun by the Moon at the time of greatest phase of partial eclipse will be around 94 percent in Delhi, 80 percent in Guwahati, 78 percent in Patna, 75 percent in Silchar, 66 percent in Kolkata, 62 percent in Mumbai, 37 percent in Bangalore, 34 percent in Chennai, 28 percent in Port Blair etc.
Partial Solar eclipse Chennai time
- Partial Eclipse Begins: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 10:22
- Maximum Eclipse: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 11:59 0.46 Magnitude
- Partial Eclipse Ends: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 13:41
- Duration: 3 hours, 19 minutes
Partial Solar eclipse Bangalore time
- Partial Eclipse Begins: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 10:12
- Maximum Eclipse: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 11:47 0.47 Magnitude
- Partial Eclipse Ends: Sun, 21 Jun 2020, 13:31
- Duration: 3 hours, 19 minutes
5. Is it Safe to watch the Solar Eclipse ?
- No, it is not safe to watch it directly with your eyes
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No for seeing through telescopes but can be used if it is fitted with Solar filters.
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Do not see the sun through binoculars
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Dont see it through Sunglasses
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Do not use smoked glass
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Dont use X-ray films
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Do not take photos with cameras from your mobile phones
One can buy authorized Solar Filters and then see it. Remember Authorized Solar Filters. Dont buy substandard ones just because its cheap. This is your eyes !!! one should not take any chances. Or watch it live in TV or web or social media sites.
Sources: Compiled from various websites.
