[WN]-The first solar eclipse of this year will take place on June 21, 2020. The eclipse will begin at 9:15 am IST and will end at 3:04 pm on the same day. Here is all you need to know.

A solar eclipse happens during the New Moon when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a straight line (3 celestial bodies form a straight line: Earth-Moon-Sun) or form an almost straight configuration to cast a shadow on the Earth blocking the rays of Sun.

There are three kinds of solar eclipses - total, partial, and annular along with rare hybrid, which is a combination of an annular and a total eclipse.

There are between two and five solar eclipses every year. In 2020, two solar eclipses will take place -- one is scheduled for June and the other one is expected to occur in December.

Annular solar eclipse 2020: Date and time

The first solar eclipse of the year 2020 will fall on June 21. As per timeanddate.com, the solar eclipse will start on June 21, 2020, at 9:15 am as per Indian Standard Timing (IST) and be visible until 3:04 pm.

The full eclipse will start from 10:17 am to 2:02 pm where 12:10 pm will see the maximum eclipse.

From where the annular solar eclipse June 2020 will be visible?

This solar eclipse on June 21, 2020, will be visible from parts of Africa including the Central African Republic, Congo, and Ethiopia; South of Pakistan and Northern India; and China.

The solar eclipse will happen on the longest day of the year, also known as 'Summer Solstice' - June 21.

Annular solar eclipse June 2020: How much part of the sun will be covered

The first solar eclipse of the year will be an annular solar eclipse where Moon will cover Sun from the center leaving the outer rim visible, thus creating a ring of fire.

The second and last solar eclipse of the year 2020 will occur on December 14. Apart from it, the third lunar eclipse of the year is expected to fall on July 5, 2020.

How solar eclipse happens

Whenever the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon form a straight line, we witness either a solar eclipse or a lunar eclipse depending on the position of the three bodies relative to each other. 

When the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun, it casts a shadow on the Earth blocking the rays of Sun from directly reaching the planet.

Based on the alignment and the relative distance between the three celestial bodies, there are three kinds of solar eclipses total, partial, and annular. As already mentioned, the June 21 event will be an annular solar eclipse.

Different types of Solar Eclipses

Total Solar Eclipse: A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, as seen from Earth.

Partial Solar Eclipse: A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon only partially obscures the disk of the Sun and cast only its penumbra on earth.

Annual Solar Eclipse: An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon appears smaller than the Sun as it passes centrally across the solar disk and the Sun's outer edges remain visible to form a ring of fire in the sky.

A hybrid solar eclipse is a rare form of a solar eclipse, which changes from an annular to a total solar eclipse, and vice versa, along its path.

Eclipse 2020

This year, a total of six eclipses is expected to take place, out of which two lunar eclipses have already occurred in January and June. The upcoming solar eclipse is on June 21.

Effect of Solar Eclipse:

A solar eclipse may affect the human body. Further, it is also believed that astrological changes occur due to solar eclipses.  Here are some effects of a solar eclipse on the human body:
  •  You may feel dizzy or tired during a solar eclipse. It may also interfere with decision-making.
  •  The digestive system might be affected.
  •  A solar eclipse might also have psychological effects. One might be agitated or even have unusual dreams during this period.

Precautions for June 2020 Solar Eclipse:
  • One can take the following precautions during the occurrence of a Solar Eclipse:
  • One must not look at the sun directly as it can cause loss of vision or distorted vision.
  • One must not look at the sun through dark tinted glasses as it might cause vision loss.
  • One must avoid the consumption of heavy meals during this period as it is believed that solar eclipse affects digestive processes.
  • Pregnant women must take special care and try to remain indoors during this period.