The last eclipse of 2020 will be a Total Solar Eclipse or Purna Surya Grahan on December 14 (Monday). This year there have been four Penumbral Lunar eclipses and one Annular Solar eclipse.
Will the Solar Eclipse be visible in India?
The Solar Eclipse will not be visible in India or any of the Asian countries. The celestial phenomenon will be visible to those living in some of the countries in the South American continent such as Chile and some parts of Argentina.
Some of the well-known cities from where Partial Solar Eclipse would be visible are Santiago in Chile, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Lima in Peru, Montevideo in Uruguay and Asuncion in Paraguay.
Solar Eclipse timings:
The eclipse will take place between 7:03 pm on December 14 and 12:23 am on December 15. The maximum eclipse is expected to be at 9:43 pm.
Since the eclipse won’t be visible in India, no ‘Sutak’ or abstention period will be applicable.
According to NASA calculations, only about 25 years in the past 5,000 years have had 5 solar eclipses. The last time this happened was in 1935, and the next time will be in 2206.
Significance of solar eclipse:
It is that time when the sun, moon and earth are all in a line, with the moon coming in between the sun and the earth, and hence casting a shadow on the earth. This results in the partial or full eclipse of the sun. This phenomenon is called a solar eclipse.
According to the Hindu religion, people follow some rules during the solar eclipse. Many people do not use a sharp object during the eclipse while many do not prefer eating during the solar eclipse. However, it is said that one should eat at least two hours before an eclipse. Pregnant women are advised not to venture outside the home during a solar eclipse. They should stay indoors during the Sutak period. By doing this, the harmful rays of the sun do not affect the woman and the foetus.
Here are certain Dos and Don'ts we need to keep in mind while watching the eclipse:
1. Proper eye protection is needed to watch the solar eclipse as looking for a long period of time at the sun may damage your eyes.
2. A special solar filter on the lens is required to capture the eclipse.
3. If you are living in one of those countries where the solar eclipse cannot be sighted, it can also be watched virtually.
4. Don't look at the sun directly.
5. Don't look at the reflection of the sun in the water.
6. Ordinary sunglasses should not be used to witness the eclipse.
