ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE 21 JUNE 2020

On 21 June 2020 one of the first visible eclipse of the decade named as “Annular Solar Eclipse” will occur. Though annular phase (popularly known as Ring of Fire) of Eclipse is visible only in few places of northern India, rest of India will observe this event as partial solar eclipse.  

Timings across the world:  across the world the Eclipse in Various Phases occur between 9.16 a.m. IST (3.46 a.m. UTC) to 3.04 p.m. IST (9.34 a.m. UTC). Wherein Greatest Phase of Eclipse is at  12.10 p.m. IST (6.40 a.m. UTC). In India depending on the location of a Person from Central path the eclipse mostly in partial phase will visible between 9.56 a.m. to 2.29 p.m.  Across the world this Eclipse is visible in the region covering Africa (except Western and Southern parts), southeast Europe, Middle East, Asia (except North and Eastern Russia), Indonesia, etc..

Telugu States – Timings – Appearance of Sun: In TELANGANA Hyderabad (10.15 a.m.  to 1.44 p.m.) Greatest Phase of Eclipse at 11.56 a.m. with 51% of Sun covered by Moon. Whereas in ANDHRA PRADESH (Vijaywadada 10.21 a.m. to 1.49 p.m) Greatest Phase at 12.03 p.m. with 46%.At Greatest Phase Sun is expected to be visible in the form of Half Moon in Telugu states.  

Central Path – Ring of Fire places in India: Timings (Start & End) of Eclipse, Percentage of Sun Covered etc.. are based on the location of the observer from Central Path of the Eclipse. Though the central path of this eclipse begins it journey in Congo (Africa), in India, it traverses from Suratgarh (Rajasthan), Sirsa&Kurukshetra (Haryana), Dehradhun, Chamoli and Joshimath in Uttarakhand thus giving people in these areas  opportunity to observe Sun as Ring of Fire. And after its stint in India, it will continue towards China, Taiwan, and end in Pacific Ocean

First and Last People to Witness Start/End In India: with Moon already covered a part of Sun’s Disk, people of Dwarka will be first to witness the eclipse starting at 9.56 a.m. Whereas at one of the easternmost part of India in Dibrugarh people will watch the eclipse till 2.29 p.m as here the eclipse visibility starts and ends late compared to the rest of India. Importantly for people of Kanyakumari the eclipse will end very early then rest of India at 1.15 p.m.

Appearance Of Sun – Greatest Phase – Timings on 21^st June – Depending on Location: Between beginning and ending of any eclipse “Greatest Eclipse” phase is the time to watch out, as covering/obscuration of Sun by Moon will be maximum for any location during this time i.e. between 11.31 a.m. to 12.51 am across India. And the Sun will appear like ranging from Crescent to Quarter or half-covered by Moon than its normal shape. Whereas Sun will appear as a ring in few places in Northern India. Location of an observer from Central path of the eclipse determines when and how Sun is visible during maximum phase. 

North to South – West to East – Approximate Percentage:  On 21 June when eclipse it at maximum the percentage of coverage of Sun’s disk by Moon will be between 50% to 21% in Southern India. It will range between 84% to 95% for people Northernmost past of India. Whereas in Central India or Western parts or Eastern or Northeastern parts of India people will see between 70%-86% of Sun covered by Moon. In other words, as a person moves away from the Central path of eclipse which passes he/she will less see lesser obscuration of Sun by Moon. 

Pregnant Ladies – Superstitions Restriction – Food Spoilage – No Govt & WHO – Health Alerts :  During eclipse various restrictions in the form of rituals based on a misunderstanding of Eclipse are imposed on Pregnant ladies in India. Cleft lip and cleft palate which is a medical condition is wrongly associated with Eclipse as after effect in unborn kids. It’s interesting to note WHO never in thev past declared Eclipse as Pendemic or never issued any health notification for Indian women to follow during Eclipse. Further FSSAI (regarding Food), Ministry of Health & Govt Dept.s in tune with a universal understanding of Eclipse as normal celestial event hasn’t issued any specific health notification except on eye care to watch the eclipse with special certified solar filters.