Solar Eclipse
Annular solar eclipse visible from parts of North and South America on October 14. VIDEOGRAPHIC
Transcript
00:00 Dark and rocky, the Moon produces no light of its own.
00:11 Instead, it reflects the Sun's rays as it orbits the Earth each month.
00:15 When its dark side is facing us and we can't see it, we call this a new Moon.
00:20 Solar eclipses occur when a new Moon moves into a position of direct alignment with the Sun and the Earth.
00:26 The lineup is not precise enough for this to happen every month, but when it does, the results are spectacular.
00:33 To see a total solar eclipse, you have to be in the narrow path of totality.
00:37 This is the area where the Moon's complete shadow, known as the umbra, falls on the Earth.
00:42 As the Moon moves in front of the Sun, day becomes night for a few eerie moments.
00:47 Around the path of totality, there's also an outer, fainter shadow known as the penumbra.
00:52 From this area, it's possible to see a partial eclipse.
00:56 [silence]