SWAP observes three partial solar eclipses

Three partial solar eclipses were observed  by PROBA-2 as it moved in and out of the Moon’s shadow during the 03-Nov-2013 ‘hybrid’ solar eclipse.

A hybrid eclipse is comprised of a total solar eclipse and an ‘annular eclipse’, depending on an observer’s viewing location on Earth.

During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, their alignment and separation are such that the much closer Moon appears large enough to block out the light from the much more distant Sun.

But from some locations, the apparent size of the Moon is slightly smaller than that of the Sun, leaving a bright ring around the dark disc of the Moon, this is known as an 'annular' solar eclipse.

Meanwhile, from its vantage point in Earth orbit, PROBA2 saw several partial eclipses.

A video generated from PROBA2’s SWAP imager, which images the Sun in ultraviolet light can be seen on ESA's website here.