Facts About Solar Eclipses

1.  The longest duration for a total solar eclipse is 7.5 minutes.A total solar eclipse is not noticeable until the Sun is more than 90 percent covered by the Moon. At 99 percent coverage, daytime lighting resembles local twilight.
2.  Eclipse shadows travel at 1,100 miles per hour at the equator and up to 5,000 miles per hour near the poles. 
3. The width of the path of totality is at most 167 miles wide.
4. The maximum number of solar eclipses (partial, annular, or total) is 5 per year. There are at least 2 solar eclipses per year some where on the Earth.
5. Only partial solar eclipses can be observed from the North and South Poles.
6. Total solar eclipses happen about once every 1.5 years.
7. Total solar eclipses happen because the Sun is near one of the nodes of the lunar orbit, and the Moon is at perigee at this node at the same time.
8. Annular solar eclipses happen because the Sun is near one of the nodes of the lunar orbit, and the Moon is at apogee at this node at the same time.
9. Local animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during totality.
10. During totality, the horizon is illuminated in a narrow band of light

                           NICE!

ANNUAL SOLAR ECLIPSE