Australia is set for a rare celestial event that will plunge parts of the country into darkness. Known as an annular solar eclipse, this phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, partially blocking the sun’s rays and creating a “ring of fire” effect. On December 26th, 2019, Australia will witness this stunning natural event, with the most significant viewing area being across the country’s northern regions. This cosmic extravaganza is a must-see for all astronomy and nature enthusiasts, and many are already preparing to witness this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
The year 2023 will mark the first eclipse season of the year, beginning with a unique hybrid annular-total solar eclipse. The eclipse is set to occur on Thursday 20 April and will start from the Indian Ocean, casting its shadow across Australia and Southeast Asia before moving into the Pacific Ocean region. A hybrid eclipse is a rare phenomenon where the Moon’s umbral shadow barely brushes the Earth on one part of the track, only to move off on the other. This transition causes the eclipse to move from a broken annular, to totality, then back to annular again.
The Moon’s inclined path inclined five degrees relative to the ecliptic plane often misses the Sun on most passes, missing two eclipses – one lunar and one solar – per month. However, for an eclipse season to take place, the new and full moon need to fall very close to an intersection node of the Moon’s orbit and the ecliptic, which happens about twice a year. Total eclipses occur when the Moon entirely covers the Sun, plunging those standing in its shadow into a strange darkness and revealing the pearly white solar corona. People often go to exotic locations to witness total eclipses.
If the new moon is headed towards apogee and the Sun is a few months within perihelion, the inner umbral shadow may fail to reach Earth’s surface, and an annular eclipse occurs. Observers are then treated to a stunning “ring of fire” eclipse. On April 20, the hybrid eclipse will appear as a broken annular at the beginning and end of its path, a brief period of true annularity just before sunset, and totality in between. The eclipse is 49 kilometers wide and only brushes land briefly at three points, starting at Exmouth, Australia, through the Timor Sea, touching East Timor, and several islands of Indonesia. The maximum duration of totality will last only for 1 minute and 16 seconds, just south of the Indonesian island of East Timor in the Timor Sea.
A hybrid eclipse is a rare event, and only seven hybrid eclipses have occurred in the 21st century. In the current epoch, annular eclipses are more common than totals and will continue to become even more common over the next few hundred million years as the Moon slowly recedes from Earth. Furthermore, Solar eclipses are more common across the Solar System. Rovers on Mars routinely witness strange annular eclipses, while on Jupiter’s major moons, one can witness total solar eclipses that feature a sharp fit similar to that of Earth during mutual transit season.
Although only a handful of individuals will experience next week’s hybrid eclipse’s central path, millions across Australia and Southeast Asia will enjoy partial views around the path. During all partial phases, one is advised to practice proper eclipse safety and use approved ISO 12312-2 glasses for viewing. This first eclipse season is book-ended with a subtle penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5, favoring Africa, Asia, and Australia. The last total solar eclipse will take place on 8 April 2024, spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
In conclusion, the first eclipse season of 2023 begins on Thursday 20 April, with the rare hybrid annular-total solar eclipse over areas such as Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean region. A hybrid eclipse is an infrequent occurrence, and only seven have occurred in the 21st century, making it a unique event to witness. Although only a few will experience the central path of this eclipse, millions across Australia and Southeast Asia will be treated to partial views, making it a spectacular phenomenon to witness.
