The Longest Solar Eclipse in History: Duration, Records, and Future Predictions

KOMPAS.com – A solar eclipse is a celestial phenomenon that occurs when the Earth, Moon and Sun are aligned in the same plane, and the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun until it covers part or all of the Sun.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon’s position is in line with the Earth and the Sun, thereby completely or partially obscuring the Earth’s view of the Sun.

Solar eclipses usually last for several minutes. So, when was the longest solar eclipse in history? And what is the longest duration of a solar eclipse?

The longest solar eclipse

According to NASA calculations, the duration of the longest solar eclipse ever recorded was 7 minutes 28 seconds, which occurred on June 15, 743 BC in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya and Somalia in Africa.

However, in theory, a solar eclipse could take longer. Mathematically, the longest totality possible on Earth is 7 minutes, 31 seconds.

Also read: How Did the Ancient Maya Predict Eclipses?

This may occur at a distance of 5 degrees north of the equator in July, when the sun is at aphelion, its farthest point from Earth, while the moon is at perigee, its closest point to Earth.

In addition, to be able to see it, observers must be at the point of greatest eclipse, with the eclipse occurring directly overhead around noon.

There has been no record of an eclipse of that length, at least in the last few thousand years. However, in 150 years from now, that event may occur.

A total solar eclipse has been calculated far into the future, and the solar eclipse that will cross the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of French Guiana on July 16, 2186, is expected to last 7 minutes, 29 seconds.

According to Dan McGlaun, eclipse expert on Eclipse 2024, during the 2186 eclipse, the Moon’s shadow will appear above the center of the Earth. The Moon will be very large because it is relatively close and the Sun will be very small because it is relatively far away. All of these things will cause the total eclipse in 2186 to be very long.

Also read: Are there solar eclipses on other planets?

The eclipse of 2186 will occur in July, when the sun is farthest from Earth and close to the equator, two characteristics shared by very long-duration eclipse events.

This phenomenon would be part of the Saros 139, a “family” of solar eclipses responsible for 71 events between 1843 and 2601.

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2024-02-02 07:30:00
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