The higher the magnitude number (more than 1) of a total solar eclipse the longer the eclipse will last, and the area it can be seen from on Earth will be larger. The magnitude of a partial eclipse is always less than 1. Some observers along the central shadow's path see a total solar eclipse with a magnitude greater than 1 while others experience an annular eclipse, which has a magnitude below 1. The maximum magnitude of a hybrid solar eclipse changes depending on the location. For total solar eclipses, the value is 1 or greater. Magnitude of a Solar EclipseĪnnular or partial solar eclipses have a maximum magnitude of less than 1. Most scientific and astronomical outlets report the magnitude of an eclipse at the greatest, or maximum, point of the eclipse. The value of the magnitude of an eclipse– solar or lunar–is typically expressed as a decimal fraction (e.g., 0.75). Because Earth casts 2 different shadows–the umbra and the penumbra–there are 2 magnitudes associated with lunar eclipses: the penumbral magnitude and the umbral magnitude. The magnitude of a lunar eclipse is the fraction of the Moon's diameter covered by Earth’s shadow.The magnitude of a solar eclipse is the fraction of the Sun's diameter covered by the Moon. Magnitude is a defining element of an eclipse.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |