In 2023, Earth will witness four solar eclipses, one of which will happen today, i.e., on 20th April 2023. This eclipse will be the first rare solar eclipse of 2023 why I am saying it is rare because it will be the hybrid solar eclipse that occurs once a decade. Out of the four solar eclipses of 2023, India will witness only 2 of them. Here is what you should know about this first hybrid solar eclipse, or “Surya Grahan,” of 2023.
What is a hybrid solar eclipse?
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A hybrid solar eclipse is one of the rarest eclipses, which happens only once a decade. The last eclipse was in 2013, and the next is reported to witness in 2031. It is also called an annular-total eclipse which happens when the moon is in the way of the sun and is too small from the sun that it cannot cover the sun adequately, thus showing as a ring of fire. It is called a hybrid solar eclipse because, at specific points, it can transit from annular to full or vice versa.
However, not everyone can witness this eclipse as it will only pass through some remote parts of Indonesia, Australia, and East Timor. When it passes through, the lucky one will be able to see either the “ring of fire” or will be plunged into the darkness.
As per Al Jazeera, people of Southeast Asia, the East Indies, Australia, the Philippines, and New Zealand can see a partial eclipse. However, looking at this eclipse without specialized protective eye gear is unsafe.
