A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface. There are three types of solar eclipses: Total, Annular and Partial. During a Total Solar Eclipse, the sun is entirely covered by the moon, creating a dark shadow on the Earth. During an Annular Solar Eclipse, the moon passes directly in front of the sun but does not completely block it, resulting in a “ring of fire” around the moon.
However, a Hybrid Solar Eclipse is a rare and unique event that occurs when a solar eclipse transitions between a Total and an Annular Solar Eclipse. This happens because the moon’s distance from the Earth varies throughout the year, which causes the shadow it casts on the Earth to change shape.
The first solar eclipse of 2023 is a Hybrid Solar Eclipse, which means that it will display characteristics of both Annular and Total Solar Eclipses. Specifically, for a few seconds, the sun will form a ring shape around the moon before transitioning to a Total Solar Eclipse.
The eclipse will occur on April 20, 2023, and will last for approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. It will start at 7:04 am and end at 12:29 pm on the same day. Unfortunately, this event will not be visible from India, but it can be observed from various other parts of the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Fiji, Cambodia, China, US, Micronesia – Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon, Antarctica, South Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
It is worth noting that Vaishakh Amavasya, an auspicious occasion in the Hindu calendar, coincides with the first solar eclipse of 2023. This may have spiritual significance for those who observe the event, as eclipses are considered powerful and transformative events in many cultures.
Even though the first solar eclipse of 2023 won’t be visible in India, skywatchers can still watch the event through live streaming on NASA’s YouTube channel and Time and Date.com.
NASA’s live streaming of the event will provide a high-quality broadcast of the eclipse as seen from locations around the world where the eclipse will be visible. The live stream will feature expert commentary and insights into the science behind solar eclipses. Viewers can tune into the NASA YouTube channel on April 20, 2023, to watch the event live.
Time and Date.com will also live stream the event on their website. The live stream is scheduled to begin at 7:00 AM and will provide a view of the eclipse from various locations across the world. Time and Date.com’s live stream will feature a countdown timer, real-time animation of the eclipse, and expert commentary.
Overall, watching the live stream of the first solar eclipse of 2023 is a great way to experience this rare astrological event, even if it’s not visible from India.
