Yes. It only happens for about 5 minutes at the maximum.
The 2007 total solar eclipse in the US lasted for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds at its longest point. The path of totality traveled across parts of the western US, including northern California, Nevada, and Utah.
Five is the theoretical maximum number of solar eclipses in one calendar year; generally 4 partial eclipses and one total or annular eclipse. This configuration happens about every 200 years or so. Interestingly, there will be four solar eclipses in 2011; all will be partial eclipses, visible (if at all) only from polar regions. The last time there were five solar eclipses in a year was in 1935; the next time will be in 2206.
There have been three or four partial eclipses in each decade, but the last TOTAL solar eclipse visible in Atlanta, GA was on June 24, 1778. The NEXT total solar eclipse visible in Atlanta will be on May 11, 2078.
There are generally two solar eclipses per year, but 2011 is "special" - we get FOUR solar eclipses, all partial. You can see the catalog of all solar eclipses from 2000 BCE to 3000 AD on the NASA Eclipse Web Page.
a long time ago
There was a partial solar eclipse on 2008-Aug-01, but you probably didn't notice. The last total solar eclipse was 1715-May-03. King George I probably enjoyed the show. There are generally two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses each year. About half of those are partial. Total lunar eclipses seem to be more frequent, because it is visible from the entire dark side of the Earth, while solar eclipses cover a very narrow path across the Earth. The last total LUNAR eclipse in London (and western Europe and most of North America) was on February 21, 2008.
The duration of an eclipse varies depending on the type of eclipse and specific circumstances. A total solar eclipse can last up to about 7.5 minutes at its maximum, while a lunar eclipse can last several hours, with the total phase lasting up to about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Partial eclipses and other variations have shorter durations. Overall, the length of an eclipse is influenced by the alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
A total solar eclipse can last up to a maximum of about 7.5 minutes along the path of totality, which can be up to 167 miles wide. However, the duration of the total eclipse experience for any given location is usually shorter, often in the range of a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Check the link to http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html. Looks like the last total eclipse of the Moon was on August 1, 2008. There are generally two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses each year. Depending on the precise alignment of the Earth-Moon system, we sometimes get two partial eclipses instead of one of the total ones; 2009 is such a year. This year, we get three penumbral and one partial lunar eclipses.
Check the link to http://eclipse.gsfc.NASA.gov/eclipse.html. Looks like the last total eclipse of the Moon was on August 1, 2008. There are generally two solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses each year. Depending on the precise alignment of the Earth-Moon system, we sometimes get two partial eclipses instead of one of the total ones; 2009 is such a year. This year, we get three penumbral and one partial lunar eclipses.
During a solar eclipse, there is a temporary decrease in light intensity. This may cause some plants to close their stomata or decrease photosynthesis rates. For animals, it can trigger changes in behavior, such as birds returning to their nests thinking it is dusk. Overall, the impact on plants and animals during a solar eclipse is minimal and they usually adjust quickly to the changes.
why? What purpose does it serve? 1.Why does it happen 2.When does it happen 3.What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse 4.When is the next eclipse 5.When is the next total lunar/solar eclipse 6.When was the last eclipse 7.When was the last lunar/solar eclipse 8.When have eclipses landed on important dates and what type 9.When did people stop thinking eclipses were bad omens 10.How do animals react to eclipses 11.Who discovered what an eclipse was 12.How can an eclipse damage your vision 13.Do/which certain ethnic groups celebrate or cherish eclipses 14.Do/which certain ethnic groups fear or loath eclipses 15.Do lunar or solar eclipses differ in how animals respond to it