{ It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases – that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know.} (Surat Yunus 10:5).
Stargazers across the Eastern Hemisphere watched the most awe-inspiring solar eclipse Sunday, June 21, on the heels of the summer solstice.
The special natural phenomenon is characterized by its stunning “ring of fire” since it’s not a total eclipse and edges of the sun can still be seen around the moon.
? Read Also: Solar Eclipse in the Time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The time of maximum eclipse, when that “ring of fire” event happens, was at 2:40 a.m. EDT (0640 GMT) Sunday, June 21, when the moon crossed into the center of the sphere of the sun, from Earth’s perspective.
The eclipse started at 11:45 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 20 (0345 GMT Sunday) and ended at 5:34 a.m. EDT (1034 GMT) June 20, according to NASA.
It was visible over central Africa, the southern Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, Northern India, and South Central China, according to the CNN.
A partial eclipse was also seen over most of Asia, Africa, South and East Europe, northern Australia and parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans
Solar Eclipse in Islam
Solar eclipse is the partial or total cutting off of the sun’s light when the moon comes between it and the earth.
Before Islam, people used to associate this unusual phenomenon with some superstitious reason. It happened that the sun eclipsed on the day the Prophet’s son Ibrahim died in Madinah, so some people attributed that to his death.
Hence, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took the opportunity to correct the people’s mistaken notion about the solar eclipse saying,
“The sun and the moon are two signs of Allah; they are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone’s birth. So when you see them, glorify and supplicate Allah, observe the Prayer, give alms.”
Longest Day in the Year
On the June solstice, the Earth’s North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun. At this time, the sun appears directly overhead at 23.5 degrees north latitude, along the Tropic of Cancer.
Since the sun’s direct rays reach their northernmost point from Earth’s equator, we see the sun follow its longest and highest path across the southern sky.
This means the shadow you cast at local solar noon will be the shortest of the year.