Täispäikesevarjutusi

Täispäikesevarjutusi, known in English as total solar eclipses, are celestial events where the Moon completely obscures the Sun's disk from view. This occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet. For an observer to witness a total solar eclipse, they must be located within the darkest part of the Moon's shadow, called the umbra.

During totality, the Sun's bright disk is hidden, allowing the Sun's faint outer atmosphere, the corona, to become visible. The corona typically appears as a shimmering, pearly white halo around the black silhouette of the Moon. The sky darkens significantly, resembling twilight, and the temperature may drop noticeably. Stars and bright planets can often be seen even during the day.

Total solar eclipses are relatively rare for any given location on Earth because the Moon's umbra traces a narrow path across the planet's surface. This path of totality can range from a few kilometers to over a hundred kilometers wide. The duration of totality can vary, but it typically lasts only a few minutes at most.

Observing a total solar eclipse requires special eye protection, except during the brief period of totality when the Sun's disk is fully covered. Looking at the Sun directly without proper protection can cause severe and permanent eye damage. Amateur and professional astronomers eagerly await these events to study the Sun's corona and other phenomena.