Total Solar Eclipse 2024: How much do you know about Solar Eclipses?

The world will be experiencing this year’s first solar eclipse occurrence on April 8, 2024. This will be a total solar eclipse. It will not be visible in India but will be visible in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other parts of North America.

To know more about the solar eclipse, take this informative quiz. Test your knowledge and see how well you understand the Universe's workings. 

1. When does a solar eclipse occur?
2. a) The moon blocks the sun's light from the Earth
3. b) The sun blocks the moon's light from the Earth
4. c) The Mars blocks the sun's light from the Earth
5. d) The Venus blocks the sunlight from the Earth. 

Answer: a) 

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, casting the Moon's shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the Sun’s light in some areas.  A solar eclipse can only happen during a New Moon.

2. Where's the best place to see an eclipse?
3. a) On a hill
4. b) In front of a television
5. c) In a grove
6. d) Under a shade

Answer: a) 

Explanation: Watching an eclipse from a place where there is no obstruction of view of the sun, be it a building or the forest is the best place to observe such phenomena. Usually, hilly areas are preferred for solar eclipse-watching. 

3. Which of the following is the safest way to view a solar eclipse?
4. a) Binocular
5. b) Eclipse Glasses
6. c) Pinhole Projector
7. d) Telescope

Answer: c) 

Explanation: You can safely see the partial solar eclipse using the pinhole projector. You can make your very own projector. To begin, simply cut an inch-square out of a piece of cardboard, cover the square with foil, and pierce the foil with a small hole.

4. The maximum number of solar eclipses that take place in a year is
5. a) 5
6. b) 4
7. c) 6
8. d) 2

Answer: a) 

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs twice or five times a year. The occurrence of five solar eclipses in a year is a rare phenomenon. The last time it happened was in the year in 1935, and the next time will be in 2206.

5. How many solar eclipses will occur in 2024?
6. a) 1
7. b) 4
8. c) 3
9. d) 2

Answer: d) 

Explanation: The year 2024 has a total of 5 eclipses, 2 solar eclipses, and 3 lunar eclipses. The first solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, while the second eclipse will occur on October 2, 2024.

6. The view zone for the total solar eclipse is up to?
7. a) 320 km
8. b) 270 km
9. c) 250 km
10. d) 380 km

Answer: b) 

Explanation: The maximum possible width of the full moon shadow during a total solar eclipse is not more than 270 km. However, the width of the zone during an annular solar eclipse visibility can reach up to 380 km.

7. A total Solar Eclipse happens when the observer is within 
8. a) Antumbra
9. b) Umbra
10. c) Senumbra
11. d) Penumbra

Answer: b) 

Explanation: The darkest region of a shadow is called the umbra. Total solar eclipses occur only when the Moon's umbra shadows the Earth, whereas the Earth's umbra causes total and partial lunar eclipses.

8. The region of the moon's shadow that is partially shaded is
9. a) Corona
10. b) Senumbra
11. c) Umbra
12. d) Penumbra

Answer: d) 

Explanation: During a total solar eclipse, the shadow of the moon casred on earth can be divided into two parts, the umbra, where the Sun is completely blocked, hence the darkest region, and the penumbra, where the Sun is partially obscured.

9. Which of the following is not a type of solar eclipse?
10. a) Partial Solar Eclipse
11. b) Total Solar Eclipse
12. c) Annular Solar Eclipse
13. d) Penumbral Solar Eclipse

Answer: d) 

Explanation: Penumbral Eclipse is a type of lunar eclipse in which the Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow. Partial solar eclipses occur when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, but it only partially covers the Sun's disk, while in a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the face of the Sun. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers the Sun's center, forming a “ring of fire” around the Moon.