The largest in a decade the total solar eclipse of March 20, 2015

• The largest of the decade, the total solar eclipse of March 20, 2015

The total solar eclipse, which will block up to 90 percent of the sunlight 20 March 2015, will be the largest event in the last 16 years.

On this day, the Moon passes directly in front of the sun, casting a shadow on the Earth.

A solar eclipse can cause a temporary power outage across Europe.

Eclipse will occur during the day Friday, March 20 and will begin at 7:41 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and will end at 11:50 UTC.

The solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 in Russia

· The beginning of the solar eclipse: 12:13 Moscow time

· The maximum phase of the solar eclipse: 13:20 Moscow time

· Completion of the solar eclipse: 14:27 Moscow time

· The maximum darkening of the solar disk: 58 percent

In the east of Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen and the Faroe Islands will be a total eclipse.

In Russia, in Europe, North and East Africa and the northern and eastern parts of Asia will experience a partial solar eclipse.

Last total solar eclipse of this magnitude occurred August 11, 1999, and the next will take place in 2026.

In addition, solar eclipse can disrupt power supplies and cause electrical disconnection.

Remember that you can not look directly at the sun disc during a solar eclipse, as it can lead to irreversible damage to the eyes. To observe the need to use special solar filters.

The vernal equinox in 2015

The eclipse falls on the equinox and new moon, and the moon will reach lunar perigee - the closest point to Earth in its orbit.

The vernal equinox occurs March 20, 2015 at 22:45 UTC (March 21 1:45 Moscow time). It represents the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. On the day of the equinox the length of night and day, and the same is 12 hours.

The March will be a new moon Supermoon, which, although not visible, but will have a larger than normal impact on the Earth's oceans. Solar eclipse

Eclipse occurs when the celestial body, such as a planet or moon passes into the shadow of the other body. On Earth, two types of eclipses can be observed: the sun and the moon.

During a solar eclipse, the Moon's orbit passes between the Sun and Earth. When this happens, the Moon blocks the Sun's light and casts a shadow on Earth.

There are several types of solar eclipses:

Complete - it can be seen in certain areas of the Earth that are at the center of the Moon's shadow falling on the ground. Sun, Moon and Earth are in a straight line.

Partial - this eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are not exactly on the same line, and observers are located in the penumbra.

Annular - occurs when the Moon is at its furthest point from the Earth. As a result, it does not completely block the solar disk and appears as a dark disc around which the bright ring seen.