What Do You Know About The Eclipse Of The Moon, Sun?
Did you perchance witness the eclipse of the Moon yesterday? If you
did, it must have been a good experience for you; if you didn’t, do not
worry, you still have another chance to observe the eclipse of the Sun
on March 29.
An eclipse occurs when the Earth, the Moon and the
Sun are lined up such that either the Earth or the Moon casts its
shadow on the other body.
An eclipse of the Sun (or solar
eclipse) only occurs at new Moon and only if the Moon passes between
the Sun and the Earth and the Moon's shadow sweeps across a portion of
the Earth's surface. An eclipse of the Sun is therefore, seen from that
region.
Solar eclipses occur between two and five per year but
the ground covered by an eclipse of the Sun is only a band of about 30
miles wide, being that portion of the globe which is under the Moon's
shadow.
Similarly, an eclipse of the Moon which is the same as
lunar eclipse only occurs at full Moon. And this is only if the Earth
passes between the Sun and the Moon and the Earth's shadow sweeps
across a portion of the Moon's surface. Then an eclipse of the Moon is
seen.
Eclipses of the Moon are less frequent than that of the Sun, and at any given location could be between zero and three per year.
Lunar eclipses are visible everywhere when it is night time as the event takes place and it could cover half the globe.
Thus the closest time between a solar and a lunar eclipse is two weeks.
When
an eclipse of the Moon takes place, every country experiencing night
time can see it. About 35 per cent of all eclipses are very difficult
to detect, even with a telescope.
Types of eclipses • Lunar
eclipse : This is the same as Eclipse of the Moon. Here, the Earth
passes between the Moon and the Sun and its shadow darkens the Moon.
•
Total solar eclipse : This is also known as Eclipse of the Sun. In this
case the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking out the
Sun.
Observing the Sun can be dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions when viewing a solar eclipse.
The
solar radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth ranges from
ultraviolet (UV) radiation at wavelengths longer than radio waves in
the meter range.
The only time that the Sun can be viewed safely
with the naked eye is during a total eclipse, when the Moon completely
covers the disk of the Sun.
It is never safe to look at a
partial or annular eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar
eclipse, without the proper equipment and techniques.
Failure to use proper observing methods may result in permanent eye damage or severe visual loss.
Unfortunately, it has been shown that most individuals who sustain eclipse-related eye injuries are children and young adults.
It
is expected that on March 29 this year, the eclipse of the Sun will
move from Brazil to Ghana through Sekondi, Takoradi and Shama at 9:08.
It will also occur at Anomabo, Saltpond, Abura Dunkwa and Twifo Praso
at 9:10 am the same day.
Children in Accra, Tema and Kade can
catch a glimpse of the eclipse at 9:12 am, while those in Denu, Akatsi,
Ho and Donkorkrom can do so at 9:14 am. Those at Kyebi can also
experience the eclipse at 9:15 am.
All areas surrounding these towns will also experience the eclipse.
