Solar eclipses explained

A solar eclipse takes place on Earth when the Moon moves in its orbit between Earth and the Sun. It happens at New Moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction with each other. During an eclipse, the Moon’s shadow moves across Earth’s surface.

Here are some interesting facts about solar eclipses

• We can see no less than two and no more than five eclipses per year.
• The longest a total eclipse can last is 7,5 minutes.
• You should avoid looking directly at a total solar eclipse because it can cause total blindness.
• During a total solar eclipse, some animals tend to act confused or prepare for sleep.
• Many years ago people thought an eclipse was a sign that the gods were angry and that bad things were about to happen.
• The corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun, can only be seen during a total solar eclipse.
• The moon’s shadow zooms across Earth’s surface at up to 5,000 miles per hour.
• The beautiful symmetry of a total solar eclipse happens because—by pure chance—the sun is 400 times larger than the moon but is also 400 times farther from Earth, making the two bodies appear the exact same size in the sky.
• Earth is the only place in the solar system where solar eclipse happens.

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