Question

What is an annular solar eclipse? Draw a labeled diagram to show its formation.

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question one must know what a solar eclipse is. A solar eclipse happens when a celestial body, that is the moon, passes in front of the sun resulting in shadows that fall on different parts of the Earth. This eclipse cannot be viewed from all parts of the Earth. In the locations that the eclipse is observed it appears as though the sun has gone dark.

Complete step by step answer:
A solar eclipse takes place when the moon is in between the Earth and the Sun, and the moon casts a shadow, which is visible from the Earth. This is a natural phenomenon.
The different types of solar eclipses are
A. Partial solar eclipse
B. Annular solar eclipse
C. Total solar eclipse

During the annular solar eclipse, the moon covers the sun in such a way that only the border of the sun is visible and the rest of the entire part of the sun is covered by the sun. This happens when the Earth and moon are in line with the Sun and when the moon’s apparent size is smaller than the sun.
Among the three solar eclipses, the partial solar eclipse is the most common and the total solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon.

Note: In the partial solar eclipse, the moon covers the sun partially. Therefore some part of the sun is visible and the area covered by the moon is dark. In an annular solar eclipse, only the outer part or ridges of the moon are visible. During the total solar eclipse, the moon completely covers the moon resulting in a few minutes of darkness.