A total solar eclipse is seen on Monday, August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
New Delhi: The last solar eclipse of 2020 is set to occur on December 14 (Monday).
However, the eclipse will not be visible in India as it will occur over the country on Monday evening. It will start at 7.03 pm and is scheduled to end at 12.23 am (December 15). The time of the maximum eclipse will be at 9.43 pm.
According to priests, rituals followed by Hindus during an eclipse will not be applicable since the ‘Surya Grahan’ will not be visible in India.
The total solar eclipse will only be visible in parts of Chile and Argentina in South America in the afternoon. A partial eclipse will be visible in the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica and southern parts of South America.
US space agency NASA will provide a live link for people to watch the Solar Eclipse from anywhere in the world
Notably, the first solar eclipse of 2020 had occurred on June 21. There were also four penumbral Lunar Eclipses this year.
In 2021, there will be two solar eclipses. The first will be on June 10 and the second on December 4. The solar eclipse in June 2021 will be an annular one.
Science
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes in between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on Earth’s surface.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth.
An annular eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon and Earth are on the same plane and the Moon is farthest from the Earth. The Moon does not block the entire Sun and so it looks like a dark disk surrounded by a flame coloured ring (‘ring of fire’ effect).
Beliefs
There is a common belief that solar eclipses affect our astrological signs and affect our lives too.
According to the Hindu beliefs, many people do not use a sharp object during the eclipse. Pregnant women are advised not to venture outside the home during an eclipse. The timings of solar eclipse are considered inauspicious by many and this is the main reason why people do not do anything important during this time, including cooking and eating.
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