You cannot see the hybrid solar eclipse from India, but it still is a supercool celestial event to livestream
The hybrid solar eclipse of April 20 is a super-rare celestial event that is cool enough to warrant a quick read, even though you will not be able to see it if you are in India.
In 2023, there will be two solar eclipses.
- The upcoming eclipse on April 20 will be a unique one, as it is a hybrid solar eclipse that will include both a total eclipse and an annular eclipse, also known as a "ring of fire" effect.
The eclipse will transition from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse before becoming an annular eclipse again in certain parts of the world. Unfortunately, India does not fall under the list of places the eclipses will be visible from.
Exmouth, a town on the western coast of Australia, is the only place where a total solar eclipse will be visible, as stated by the Government of Western Australia.
- However, a partial eclipse will be visible in Southeast Asia, the East Indies, the Philippines, New Zealand, and other parts of Australia, while viewers in Timor-Leste and parts of Indonesia would be able to observe an annular eclipse.
If you're unfamiliar with solar eclipse lingo, let us shed some light on the difference between a total and annular eclipse.
Total and annular eclipses are both fascinating astronomical events that occur when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but they differ in their appearance and how they occur.
- A total eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface. The sky becomes dark, and the sun's corona (outer atmosphere) is visible as a glowing ring around the moon. This event lasts for a relatively short time and can only be seen from a narrow path on Earth's surface.
- In contrast, an annular eclipse occurs when the moon is at a slightly greater distance from the Earth, and it appears smaller in the sky. As a result, when the moon passes in front of the sun, it does not completely block it but instead leaves a ring of sunlight visible around the edges of the moon. This creates the characteristic "ring of fire" effect, similar to the Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings -- being partially covered, with a bright ring of light surrounding the dark centre.
Six months from today – on October 14 – a “ring of fire” annular eclipse will cross the U.S.!
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) April 14, 2023
But what is an annular eclipse?
Why does it happen?
Why does it look like a “ring of fire” in the sky?
This new video will tell you all about it! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bW02z0iHsF
Unlike a total eclipse, an annular eclipse is visible from a broader area on Earth's surface.
In short, a total eclipse is a full-on celestial cover-up leaving you in complete darkness, while an annular eclipse is when you look up in the sky to be greeted by Middle Earth's most menacing foe. So, whether it's a total or annular eclipse, it's always a show worth watching.
For those of you interested in catching the livestream of the eclipses tomorrow, have a look here: