{
  "id": 185478,
  "title": "Why the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse appears to move backward on maps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/why-the-aug-12-total-solar-eclipse-appears-to-move-backward-on-maps",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T17:54:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Science",
    "slug": "live-science",
    "url": "https://www.livescience.com/space/the-sun/why-the-aug-12-total-solar-eclipse-appears-to-move-backward-on-maps"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will traverse the globe, but observers may notice something peculiar about its path. The eclipse appears to originate in northern Siberia, near the North Pole, and then journey toward eastern Greenland, seemingly moving in a west-to-east direction. However, this seemingly backwards movement is an optical illusion, caused by the interaction of several factors.\n\nFirstly, the moon orbits Earth from west to east, as does Earth's rotation. Consequently, the moon's shadow travels across our planet from west to east. However, the path of totality – the route of the moon's umbra, the darkest part of its inner shadow – is not a straight line but a curved arc across the globe's curved surface. Additionally, the eclipse's route has a pronounced north-south component due to the combined effects of Earth's rotation and the tilts of both Earth's axis and the Moon's orbit.\n\nWhen viewed on a flat map, this curved route can create the illusion of the eclipse briefly reversing direction, when in reality, it never does. The width and speed of the moon's shadow are influenced by various factors, including the moon's distance from Earth, the geometry of the eclipse, and the dimensions of its umbra and penumbra. The umbra, which encompasses the path of totality, is much narrower than the penumbra, where only a partial eclipse can be seen.\n\nFor those fortunate enough to be in the moon's penumbra during the eclipse, it is crucial to wear certified solar eclipse glasses or employ a solar filter on telescopes or binoculars to safely observe the partial eclipse. Never look directly at the sun, except during the brief moment of totality, when the sun is completely covered. For those not in the path of totality, fear not, as a near-total lunar eclipse will be visible over much of North America just two weeks later, offering another celestial spectacle to behold.",
  "summary": "While eclipse paths always move from west to east, this one seems to reverse direction on maps as it crosses the Arctic. Here's the geometry behind the illusion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Space.com",
        "title": "When a total solar eclipse darkens the sky on Aug. 12, these citizen scientists will be watching",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/when-a-total-solar-eclipse-darkens-the-sky-on-aug-12-these-citizen",
        "published": "2026-08-04T18:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "Why the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse appears to move backward on maps",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/why-the-aug-12-total-solar-eclipse-appears-to-move-backward-on-maps",
        "published": "2026-08-06T11:05:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}