I’m just happy to see a partial eclipse … how many times do you get to see the moon passing in front of the sun? Full, annular, partial … it doesn’t matter to me, it’s a unique solar event that doesn’t happen often and it amazes me.
Relatively common, actually. At least compared to being able to see a full total. Geographically speaking, that is.
I didn’t realize the moon’s distance to the Earth varied enough to cause annular eclipses. I always wondered why we didn’t see more eclipses since the moon is revolving around earth monthly.
The moon also doesn’t orbit at the same plane as the earth around the sun, so sometimes it’s above the sun and other times it’s below
Not only that, but the Moon slowly gets further and further from the Earth so over time there will be more annular eclipses and fewer total eclipses
Honestly I kinda feel like an annular eclipse is prettier, but I’m still excited just for the rarity of the experience.
And who am I kidding? How often do annular eclipses happen either? I’m happy that EITHER happen near me lol
Edit 3 weeks later, after the eclipse: I take it all back - the difference between a sliver of visible sun, and totality, is worlds apart. It’s a totally different beast. It’s in a different league. It doesn’t seem like a big deal on camera, but in person it’s incomparable.
pictures cannot capture the ephemeral, indescribable beauty of the moments of totality
total eclipse wins every time
get effin HYPE
Annular eclipse isn’t a partial eclipse. It’s just like a total eclipse, but with a frickin ring of fire. How frickin metal is that?!?!
But I’d get hype for either, honestly.
that is pretty metal and sick, you’re right
the tradeoff is that the ring of fire means you can’t look directly at it even at peak totality…
but either is so friggin hype
I just saw the total eclipse today and I take back what I said. The difference between a sliver of sun, and totally, is crazy.
awesome!! I’m psyched you caught it and enjoyed it :-)
Annular are more common. And you can’t look at them without solar glasses. Total you can look for the few minutes without glasses.
According to Wikipedia, and data for the last century, there were 73 annular and 71 total eclipses, which is pretty close to the same. List of 20th century eclipses. Now, I haven’t checked to see if there are more of one than the other in the eclipse cycle, but given the difference of 2 over a century and the cycle taking 18 years, it can’t be more than one.
But see them while you can. In the distant future, there won’t be any total eclipses.
I was just thinking this. Can we / have we calculated when the last total eclipse will be?
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You still shouldn’t look at them unprotected, because you don’t notice the damage until it’s too late, iirc
For a total, it’s fine as long as you ONLY look during actual totality. Once you see the Bailey’s Beads (little diamonds at the edge), you need to put on your glasses.
This is the last North American eclipse for like 20 years so don’t miss it.
Correct!
