Annular Solar Eclipse to occur on June 21, here is all you need to know

Solar eclipses are a powerful celestial event to look forward to and one of the first such solar eclipses will be visible on June 21 this year. Known as Surya Grahan in Hindi, this will be a special annular eclipse which holds mighty importance.

Here are some details worth knowing.


What is a solar eclipse ?

Eclipses occur when Sun, Moon and the Earth come in a straight line and no two eclipses are the same. A solar eclipse is an event which happens when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, casting its shadow on the earth.

This particular solar eclipse is said to be a special watch for skygazers because the moon will cover the sun in a major way, only leaving the outer rim of the Sun visible, which astronomers call a "ring of fire". This will take place during the maximum phase of the eclipse. Isn't that fascinating?

The coming solar eclipse is termed "annular" because the moon happens to be the farthest away from Earth and hence, its size appears to be much smaller than the Sun and does not completely hide it, thus creating a ring of fire, hiding away the central part.

The annular solar eclipse will begin at 9:15 a.m. on June 21, which falls on a Sunday, while the eclipse will reach its peak at 12:10 p.m. and end at 3:04 p.m. The year's first solar eclipse will last for a maximum of six hours.

Any eclipse makes for an interesting sight. Unlike lunar eclipses, which are easily visible, solar eclipses are powerful and aren't safe to be seen with naked eyes. In fact, no one should look at the eclipse with naked eyes, as it might harm the eyesight. This has scientific backing as even directly looking at the sun can cause harm to your eyes. Use of goggles, eye gear or any such apparatus is always recommended before viewing the eclipse.

Is it safe to step out during an eclipse?
Scientifically, there is no claim that eclipses of any nature are harmful to our health. However, cultural beliefs dictate one to not see or step out when a solar eclipse occurs.

According to traditional beliefs, both these planets- Sun and the Moon, considered 'grahas' are very powerful and hence, people are said to take necessary precautions when their planetary positions get changed. In some cultures and astrological fields, eclipses are bad omens and can impact your health. Hence, caution is advised. Since the fear is so deep-rooted in many families that it marks a solar eclipse as a bad omen. Pregnant women, especially are warned to exercise caution and rest. Therefore, people don't advise or recommend stepping out of the home premises fearing ill-effects.