As we all know, light travels in a straight line. A solar eclipse is only possible with this theory behind it. A Solar Eclipse happens when the Sun, the Moon and the Earth becomes align. The Moon would be in between the Earth and the Sun, blocking light rays from the Sun from striking the Earth. Such a phenomenon can only happen during a New Moon. At least 2, but less then 5 of such events would happen each year, making it extremely rare. Although this is a natural phenomenon, but it was however regarded as bad omens in the pass, as there were no astronomical explanations for it back then.
There are 4 kinds of Solar Eclipses. Total Eclipse, Partial Eclipse, Hybrid Eclipse and Annular Eclipse.
Total Eclipse
A total eclipse would only happen at the very most twice per year. In order to witness the Total Eclipse, one have to stand on the narrow path where this eclipse can be seen from. This path, name the Path of Totality covers less then 1% of the Earth's surface. The route of it changes everytime, but in order for 1 to witness a Total Eclipse at a same location twice, he has to wait for an average of 375 years. However, this period of time may always vary. For example, a total eclipse was winessed from Princeton, NJ in 1478, and the next one would be in 2079. However, the following one would be in 2144. The intervals are a huge difference with 1 being 601 years, and the other being only 65 years. And unfortunately, this awesome phenomenon can only last for a few minutes.
Annular Eclipse
An annular eclipse would happen when the Sun and the Moon are exactly in line. Since the moon is of a smaller size compared to the sun, there would be a bright ring surrounding the moon. With this bright ring around, it is dangerous to look at it with our naked eyes, as the intensity of light is not lessen. Such eclipses can stretch up to 10-12 minutes, but usually occurs for a mere 4-5minutes.
Hybrid Eclipse
The hybrid eclipse is much of a weird eclipse. Instead of having it's own 'style', it is a merger of the total and annular eclipse. This only occurs when the curvature of the Earth brings the different points of the path taken by that particular eclipse into a the Total and Annular shadows. Hybrid eclipse occurred previously in 2005, and the next one would be in 2013.
Partial Eclipse
A partial eclipse is totally different from the 3 eclipse mentioned. While eclipses like a Total Eclipse or Annular Eclipse occur, someone outside of the track that the eclipse takes would witness a partial eclipse. Of which the moon would only obstruct the sun partially. However, partial eclipse may still happen solely, when the umbra passes right above the Earth's polar regions, but not the surface of the Earth.
Myths and Superstition
Myths come along with such natural phenomenon, as there were no logical explanations for such a thing to happen in the past. For example, during a war between Medians and Lydians, peace was declared when the eclipse occurred. Chinese have also recognized this as a bad omen, naming this as 天狗食日, which means the Celestial Dog eating up the Sun. This has been recognized as a bad omen.
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