Total and partial eclipse

The idea

Observers in the small area where the Moon's shadow falls see no part of the Sun, a total solar eclipse; where the Moon blocks only some regions of the Sun, observers see a partial solar eclipse.

One eclipse, many places

The same solar eclipse looks different from different places on the Earth.

Is a solar eclipse seen in the same way from every place?

• Yes, the same everywhere
• No, it depends on the place
• Only at the poles

Three places

Tap place A, B and C on the Earth. Below, see the sky from that place. The picture is not to scale.

Total or partial

The Moon’s dark shadow falls on a small area. People there see no part of the Sun. People where the Moon hides only some of the Sun see a partial eclipse.

Observers in the small area where the Moon’s shadow falls see no part of the Sun, a total solar eclipse; where the Moon blocks only some regions of the Sun, observers see a partial solar eclipse.

Notes

Observers in the small area where the Moon’s shadow falls see no part of the Sun, a total solar eclipse; where the Moon blocks only some regions of the Sun, observers see a partial solar eclipse.

Check yourself

People in the small area where the Moon’s shadow falls see …

A partial solar eclipse is seen where the Moon …

A place far from the Moon’s shadow sees …

The area of the Earth where the eclipse is total is …

• no part of the Sun: a total solar eclipse — correct. Yes! The Moon hides all of the Sun.
• half of the Sun, as at any time. Seeing only some of the Sun is a partial eclipse.
• the whole Sun, as usual. The whole Sun is seen only outside the eclipse area.
• is far away from the Sun in the sky. Then the Moon is not in front of the Sun, and no eclipse is seen.
• blocks only some regions of the Sun — correct. Yes! The rest of the Sun is still visible.
• blocks the whole Sun. That is a total solar eclipse.
• a Moon bigger than the Sun. The Moon looks about as big as the Sun, not bigger.
• a total eclipse. A total eclipse is seen only in the small dark area.
• a full bright Sun, with no eclipse — correct. Yes! The Moon is not in front of the Sun there.
• a small area — correct. Yes! It is the small area of the Moon’s shadow.
• the half of the Earth that is dark. The dark half is night. The eclipse shadow falls on a small area of the sunlit half.
• the whole Earth. Only a small area sees a total eclipse.