Notice to astronomy enthusiasts! On April 20, a hybrid solar eclipse will form in the sky. A rare phenomenon that will not be visible everywhere on Earth, but that you can follow online.
On April 20, a hybrid solar eclipse will form in the sky. This phenomenon is different from a usual solar eclipse since it can be seen in different ways depending on the place of observation. Depending on where you are on Earth, you may see a total solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse.
The annular solar eclipse occurs when the Sun and the Moon are perfectly aligned with the Earth. The rarer total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely obscures the Sun and brings a few minutes of darkness in the middle of the day. In both cases, the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and the light is less bright during the phenomenon.
This very rare event can be observed by a privileged party. Sailors will be able to enjoy the spectacle which will be visible in certain oceans such as the western Pacific or the southern Indian Ocean. It will also be possible to observe the hybrid solar eclipse from Indonesia, the Philippines, much of Oceania, Southeast Asia, Australia and part of Antarctica. If you find yourself in one of these regions, some observation advice is in order since it is recommended not to observe the Sun with the naked eye and to use suitable glasses.
If you don’t live in these regions but still want to enjoy the show without leaving your home, it’s possible: the Timeanddate.com site will share the event live. The eclipse will occur from 3:34 a.m. to 8:59 a.m. French time, and its maximum is expected at 6:16 a.m.
The last hybrid solar eclipse took place almost 10 years ago on November 3, 2013. This new astronomical event will not occur again until November 2031.
