The solar eclipses

The Moon passing in front of the solar disc is what spectators on Earth see and call a solar eclipseTotal solar eclipses take place when the shadow of the Moon is reflected on the Earth. The diameter of the cone-shaped shadow will never exceed a band of 268.7 km. Consequently, the observation zone of an eclipse is rather restricted.
The width of the shadow-light zone, also referred to as a partial eclipse area, is around 4.828 km. At certain moments of its passage between the Earth and the Sun, the shadow of the Moon does not reach the Earth; an annular eclipse then occurs and the solar disc's ring of light appears around the black disc of the Moon.
The luminosity of the solar disc's ring prevents the observation of the crown.

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Last modifications: 3 July'99