Astronomy enthusiasts, make sure to mark your calendars! A rare hybrid annular-total solar eclipse will be seen in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean region.
MANILA, Philippines — On Thursday, April 20, 2023, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 12:54 pm in Manila, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Other parts of the world will experience a total solar eclipse, while the Philippines will only have a partial eclipse with a magnitude of 0.352, which means that only a portion of the sun will be obscured by the moon. The partial solar eclipse will begin at 11:08 am local time and last until 2:18 pm, making it a several-hour-long event.
“The partial solar eclipse can be observed at a minimum obscuration of 12% to the north (Basco, Batanes) and a maximum obscuration of 58% to the south (Municipality of Sarangani),” wrote PAGASA.
Understanding the 20th of April Hybrid Solar Eclipse
On April 20, 2023, a rare type of solar eclipse called hybrid solar eclipse will occur, which is a combination of an annular and total solar eclipse. During this event, a “ring of fire” will be visible for a short time in the Indian and Pacific oceans, and totality will be seen in Exmouth, Western Australia (for up to 1 minute), Timor Leste (1 minute 14 seconds), and West Papua (1 minute 9 seconds).
The eclipse, which is a rare celestial event, occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface. During a total solar eclipse, the sky darkens, the temperature drops and the stars become visible during the day.
NASA advises the use of special solar filters or eclipse glasses to view the eclipse safely. These are available for purchase from reputable sources. The agency also advises against using homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, which are not safe for viewing the sun.
Solar Eclipse 2023: When is the next solar eclipse?
There will be two solar eclipses in 2023, including a rare hybrid solar eclipse.
The second solar eclipse of 2023 will be an annular solar eclipse on October 14, and it will be visible to observers in North, Central, and South America. The best way to see a solar eclipse is to wait for a total solar eclipse and travel to a location within the narrow path of totality that has the greatest chance of a clear sky. – WhatALife!/Jayve
Also read: Is the Total Lunar Eclipse on November 8, 2022, visible in the Philippines?
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