Solar eclipse diagram
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How often does a total solar eclipse happen in the same place
How long does a solar eclipse last?...
What Is a Total Solar Eclipse?
Only Visible along a Narrow Path
Every 18 months or so—somewhere in the world—a total solar eclipse takes place.
The total phase of the eclipse, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, is visible from along a narrow path of totality.
Typically, this path across the globe is around 15,000 km (9000 miles) long, but only about 150 km (90 miles) wide.
Which cities get the most eclipses?
Not Total Everywhere
Observers outside the path of totality may see a partial eclipse.
By convention, eclipses are named after their darkest phase—if a solar eclipse is total at any point on Earth, it is called a total solar eclipse.
Hybrid solar eclipses or annular-total eclipses are an exception to this rule.
This is because they change from an annular to a total eclipse or from a total to an annular eclipse along their path.
Animation: Next eclipse in your city
Complete Solar Eclipse Has Five Phases
What can you see during a total solar eclipse?
There are five stages in a total solar eclipse:
- Partial eclipse begins (1st contact): The Moon
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