Facts About Total Solar Eclipse That You Need To Know

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There are certain things that happen on a total solar eclipse and understanding about it is important, as this is a rare phenomenon that occurs in years.

21st August, today, is the day the total solar eclipse is going to take place and this time, it can be mostly seen in the USA, which happens once in 38 years. Here are some interesting facts on the total solar eclipse that have been listed below.

So check out on the things that define the total solar eclipse and those who have the opportunity to experience it, make sure to witness the historic moment.

Fact #1: It Is The First Total Solar Eclipse

This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental USA in 38 years. According to the reports, the last total solar eclipse had occurred on February 26, 1979. But unfortunately, not many people saw this total eclipse, as it clipped in just five states in the Northwest and the weather for the most part was bleak.

Fact #2: First Contact Is Going To Be In Oregon

If you want to be the first person to experience totality in the continental USA, be on the waterfront at Government Point, Oregon, at 10:15:56.5 a.m. PDT. There, the total phase lasts 1 minute, 58.5 seconds.

Fact #3: The Eclipse Totalities Are At Different Lengths

The reason the total phases of solar eclipses vary in time is because Earth is not always at the same distance from the Sun; and the Moon is also not always at the same distance from the Earth. According to scientists, the Earth-Sun distance varies by 3 percent and the Moon-Earth distance by 12 percent. As a result, the Moon's apparent diameter can range from 7 percent larger to 10 percent, which is smaller than that of the Sun.

Fact#4: Solar Eclipses Occur Between Saros Cycles

Solar eclipses occur between Saros cycles. Similar solar and lunar eclipses recur every 6,585.3 days (18 years, 11 days, 8 hours). Scientists call this length of time a Saros cycle. Two eclipses separated by one Saros cycle are similar. They occur at the same node, the Moon's distance from the Earth is nearly the same, and they happen at the same time of the year.

Fact #5: Everyone Will See At Least A Partial Eclipse

Everyone in the continental USA will see at least a partial eclipse. In fact, if you have clear skies on the eclipse day, the Moon will cover at least 48 percent of the Sun's surface. And that's from the northern tip of Maine.

Fact #6: It Is A Lineup Of The Sun, The Moon, And The Earth

A solar eclipse is defined as a lineup of the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth. While the Moon is seen directly between the Sun and Earth, it casts a shadow on the Earth. So if you're in the dark part of that shadow, which is known as the umbra, you'll see a total eclipse. And if you're in the light part, which is known as the penumbra, you'll see a partial eclipse.

Fact #7: The End Of The Eclipse For The USA

The end of the eclipse for the USA is not on land. The center line's last contact with the USA occurs at the Atlantic Ocean's edge, which is just southeast of Key Bay, South Carolina.