TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: A total solar eclipse will make the Sun disappear in April 8, 2024, as the world will witness a rare celestial event graze through the skies.

Total Solar Eclipse

• About: It is a condition when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and completely blocks the Sun's disk, casting a huge shadow on the surface.
• Experience along the Path of Totality: People within the path of totality, where the Moon's shadow completely covers the Sun, will witness a total solar eclipse.
• Opportunity to Observe the Sun's Corona: Weather permitting, observers within the path of totality can witness the Sun's corona, its outer atmosphere normally hidden by the Sun's brightness.
• Visibility of the Sun's Corona: The corona, the Sun's outermost layer extending millions of kilometers into space, is visible as a faint, pearly-white halo encircling the darkened disk of the Sun, exclusively during a solar eclipse.
• Phenomenon of Chromosphere: Totality during the eclipse allows viewers to potentially observe the chromosphere, a region of the solar atmosphere appearing as a thin circle of pink around the Moon, along with the corona.
• Rare View of Stars and Darkened Surroundings: During totality, viewers may briefly observe stars as the surroundings go completely dark, offering a rare celestial spectacle.
• Dip in Air Temperatures: Additionally, a total solar eclipse is often accompanied by a decrease in air temperatures, adding to the unique experience of this celestial event.