On Thursday, June 10th, a rare astronomical event will take place – a hybrid solar eclipse. While eclipses are not uncommon, this hybrid eclipse is a unique occurrence that many people may not have experienced before. If you’re curious about what this event is and how it can be safely observed, read on. We’ll explore the basics of the June 10th hybrid eclipse, what regions will be able to see it, and how you can best prepare to witness this stunning natural event.
On Thursday, a rare hybrid solar eclipse will take place. This type of eclipse creates an annular or total solar eclipse, depending on the observer’s location in relation to the moon. When the moon fully blocks the sun, it is called a total eclipse, and when the moon blocks the sun but appears smaller, leaving the outline of a solar ring, it is called an annular eclipse. When both occur, it is known as a hybrid eclipse.
According to NASA, a hybrid eclipse starts as one type of eclipse and transitions to another because Earth’s surface is curved, and sometimes an eclipse can shift between annular and total as the Moon’s shadow moves across the globe. This type of eclipse only occurs a handful of times per century.
The central hybrid eclipse will take place from 02:37 GMT on Thursday and last until approximately 05:56 GMT. During this eclipse, a total eclipse will be visible in western Australia, Timor-Leste and Indonesia, according to the publication Space. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Southeast Asia, the East Indies, Australia, the Philippines, and New Zealand.
It is important to note that it is never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays, and during a solar eclipse, it is important to wear eclipse glasses at all times. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun as they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight, according to NASA.
The eclipse will also be live-streamed by NASA via a link available on their website. The next hybrid eclipse is expected to occur on November 14th, 2031.
Other eclipses are expected to occur this year, including a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5th visible in Africa, Asia, and Australia. In October, an annular solar eclipse will be visible in South America, and another annular solar eclipse will be visible in North, Central, and South America. A partial lunar eclipse will occur on October 28th, visible in some parts of the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
