Solar eclipse of December 14, 2020 facts for kids
A total solar eclipse happened on Monday, December 14, 2020. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves right between Earth and the Sun. This makes the Moon block the Sun's light from our view on Earth.
When a total solar eclipse happens, the Moon looks bigger than the Sun from Earth. This means it can completely block out all direct sunlight. Day turns into a temporary darkness! This full blockage, called totality, is only seen along a narrow path on Earth. People outside this path see a partial solar eclipse. This partial view can stretch thousands of kilometers wide.
The Moon looked bigger during this eclipse because it was very close to Earth. This close point is called perigee. The eclipse happened just 1.8 days after the Moon was closest to Earth on December 12, 2020.
This amazing event was best seen in Chile and Argentina. People in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay also saw a partial solar eclipse.
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What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse is a special event in space. It happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. The Moon casts a shadow on our planet. This shadow is what we see as an eclipse.
There are different types of solar eclipses:
- Total solar eclipse: The Moon completely covers the Sun.
- Partial solar eclipse: The Moon only covers part of the Sun.
- Annular solar eclipse: The Moon covers the center of the Sun, leaving a bright ring around it. This happens when the Moon is farther from Earth.
Why the Moon Looked Bigger
The Moon's distance from Earth changes slightly. When the Moon is closest to Earth, it's at a point called perigee. When it's farthest, it's at apogee.
On December 12, 2020, the Moon was at its perigee. This meant it was very close to Earth. Because it was so close, its size in the sky looked larger to us. This larger appearance allowed it to fully cover the Sun during the eclipse just two days later.
Where the Eclipse Was Seen
The path of the total solar eclipse crossed parts of South America. Many people gathered to watch this rare event.
- Total Eclipse:
Even if you couldn't see the total eclipse, seeing a partial one is still very cool! It's a reminder of how our solar system works.
Images for kids
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Partial from Rengo, Chile, 15:07 UTC
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Partial from Santiago de Chile, 16:02 UTC
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Partial from Puerto Varas, Chile, 16:09 UTC
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Totality from Ministro Ramos Mexía, Argentina, 16:14 UTC
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Partial from Manuel B. Gonnet, Argentina, 16:32 UTC
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Partial from Guarulhos, Brazil, 17:01 UTC
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Partial from Taubaté, Brazil, 17:13 UTC
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Totality from Valcheta, Argentina
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See also
In Spanish: Eclipse solar del 14 de diciembre de 2020 para niños
