Alton, Mo. – Alton, Missouri is special because it gets to participate in an eclipse. First, let us back up. How many eclipses are there and what are the differences? There are seven eclipses.
An eclipse, by definition, happens when the sun, moon, and earth align together. There are three types of lunar eclipses and four types of solar eclipses [1]. Here is the layout of them.
Lunar Eclipses
A lunar eclipse happens when the earth’s shadow is cast over the moon. The sun is behind the earth. However, the light passing through the earth lights the moon in an orange tone. The distinct color comes from the light passing from the sun around the whole earth to the moon.
Lunar eclipses are divided into three categories: total, partial, and penumbral. A total lunar eclipse happen when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow. This causes the orange glow. A partial lunar eclipse comes when the moon passes through only a part of the earth’s shadow. And the penumbral lunar eclipse happens when the moon is on the outskirts of the earth’s shadow. This is often mistaken for a full moon.
Solar Eclipses
While there are four types of solar eclipses, some type of solar eclipses happens at least twice a year, somewhere on our planet. A total solar eclipse occurs when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. These have specific viewing audiences. This is what Alton will witness in 2024 [2]. A partial solar eclipse happen when the moon does not ‘totally’ cover the sun. The annual eclipse has the moon not covering the entirety of the sun. For an annual eclipse, the moon looks to have a bright ring around it. This ring is called a ‘ring of fire’. Finally, a hybrid eclipse combines the total and annular eclipses. It begins as one and changes into the other.
These are the eclipses scientists have names. Although some occur more frequently, they often go unnoticed. They may happen over an ocean or at night. Alton will have a special place for the 2024 eclipse by being in the path of totality of a total solar eclipse.
Notes:
- ^https://www.txstate-epdc.net/types-of-eclipses-and-how-they-work/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.altonmo.com/more-topics/alton-missouri-is-preparing-for-the-next-solar-eclipse-20220607 (go back ↩)
