A RARE hybrid solar eclipse is happening this evening and you have a chance to see it.
Only people in certain countries will be able to view the phenomenon in person but there will also be YouTube live streams of the event that can be accessed in the UK and US.
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WHAT IS A HYBRID SOLAR ECLIPSE?
To understand a hybrid solar eclipse, you first need to understand the different eclipse types.
A total solar eclipse is when the Sun is entirely blocked out by the Moon.
The Sun is exactly 400 times bigger than the Moon but it is also 400 times farther away from the Earth.
These are the perfect ratios for the Moon to completely eclipse the Sun, provided the alignment on the Earth’s surface is exactly right.
If an eclipse is “total” i.e. the Sun is completely covered when viewed from any point on the Earth, it is referred to as a “total solar eclipse”, even though from other places, it may only be partial.
An annular solar eclipse is slightly different.
It happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth when the Moon is at its farthest point to us.
The Moon looks small at this point and does not fully cover the Sun with its shadow.
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Only part of the Sun is covered and you should see a ring of fire around the Moon’s shadow.
A hybrid eclipse is a combination of both of these things.
Nasa explains: “Because Earth’s surface is curved, sometimes an eclipse can shift between annular and total as the Moon’s shadow moves across the globe. This is called a hybrid solar eclipse.”
Hybrid solar eclipses are rare and only happen a few times every 100 years.
The next chance to see one after tonight will be in 2031.
HOW CAN I WATCH THE SOLAR ECLIPSE?
People can only watch the eclipse in person if they’re located in the South Pacific.
The hybrid eclipse should be visible over western Australia, East Timor, and Indonesia starting at 9:36pm ET on April 19 (1:36am GMT on April 20) and ending at 2:59am ET on April 20 (6:59am GMT).
Fortunately, you can watch the eclipse anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home.
You’ll just need to be able to access YouTube.
There are several live streams happening including one by TimeandDate which can be accessed via its YouTube channel from 9:30pm ET.
Anyone who watches an eclipse in person should not look directly at the Sun.
This can cause serious damage to the eyes, even when a large fraction of the solar disc is blocked out.
It is also not wise to look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or a telephoto lens on an SLR camera.
If you use eclipse glasses, make sure they have a certified safety mark.
