Täispäikesevarjutuse

Täispäikesevarjutus is the Estonian term for a total solar eclipse. This astronomical event occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, completely obscuring the Sun's face. During a total solar eclipse, the sky darkens as if it were night, and the Sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, becomes visible as a shimmering halo around the black disk of the Moon.

For a total solar eclipse to be visible from a specific location, observers must be within the Moon's umbra, the darkest part of its shadow. This path of totality is typically very narrow, often only a few tens of kilometers wide. Outside the umbra, in the penumbra, a partial solar eclipse is observed, where the Moon only covers a portion of the Sun.

The duration of totality in a total solar eclipse can vary, but it typically lasts for a few minutes. This celestial spectacle has captivated humans for millennia, inspiring myths, legends, and scientific inquiry. Observing a total solar eclipse requires proper eye protection to prevent serious eye damage. During the brief period of totality, when the Sun is completely hidden, it is safe to look directly at the eclipse without protection. However, as soon as any part of the Sun reappears, protective eyewear must be used again.