An annular eclipse is a rare astronomical event that occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, but is not close enough to the earth to completely cover the sun. Instead, a thin ring of sunlight remains visible around the moon’s dark silhouette. This phenomenon is also known as a “ring of fire” eclipse, and it is a breathtaking sight to behold.
Definitions
An annular eclipse is defined as a type of solar eclipse that occurs when the moon is at its farthest distance from the earth, and appears smaller than the sun in the sky. As a result, the moon does not completely cover the sun, and a ring of sunlight remains visible around its edges.
Origin
The word “annular” comes from the Latin word “annulus,” which means “ring.” This refers to the ring of sunlight that is visible during an annular eclipse. The first recorded observation of an annular eclipse was made by the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras in 478 BC.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an annular eclipse is “a solar eclipse in which a thin outer ring of the sun is visible around the moon.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a type of solar eclipse in which the moon appears smaller than the sun, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around its edges.”
Associations
An annular eclipse is often associated with spiritual and mystical meanings in various cultures. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that the sun and the moon are symbols of the masculine and feminine energies of the universe, and their alignment during an annular eclipse represents the union of these energies.
Synonyms
Other words that are commonly used to describe an annular eclipse include “ring of fire” eclipse, “partial” eclipse, and “non-total” eclipse.
Antonyms
The antonym of an annular eclipse is a “total” eclipse, which occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, resulting in total darkness.
The same root words
The word “annular” is derived from the Latin word “annulus,” which means “ring.” Other words that share the same root include “annulate,” “annulation,” and “annuli.”
Example Sentences
- “The annular eclipse was a breathtaking sight, with a ring of fire visible around the moon’s silhouette.”
- “The next annular eclipse is set to occur in June 2021, and will be visible from parts of Africa and Asia.”
- “During the annular eclipse, special precautions must be taken to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.”