Total solar eclipse: Don't forget to watch the sky next week!

New Delhi: Sky gazers, cheer up! In just over a week's time, you'll be treated to another celestial show – a 'total solar eclipse' with the sky turning dark between March 8, Tuesday and March 9, Wednesday.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the earth and the sun, almost completely blocking the light of the sun. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon's shadow falls on Earth.

As the moon passes precisely between the sun and Earth - a relatively rare occurrence that happens only about once a year because of the fact that the moon and the sun do not orbit in the exact same plane - it will block the sun’s bright face, revealing the tenuous and comparatively faint solar atmosphere, the corona, explained NASA astronomers.

The eclipse will be partially viewable to people living in Australia, East Asia and Southeast Asia beginning at 23:19 UTC on March 8.

In India, the celestial event will be partially visible in North East on March 9, said Ujjain based Jiwaji Observatory's Superintendent Dr Rajendraprakash Gupt.

Scientists said totality will last for anywhere from one and a half to just over four minutes at each location.

So, if you happen to live in one of these regions, make sure to watch the sky on March 8 and 9 to witness the stunning celestial show, but using a solar-filtered telescope or a pinhole projector.