Eclipses of 2026: 12 August solar, 3 March lunar

1. Question 1Answer C

   The total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026 was the first to cross mainland Europe since which year?

   • A1976
   • B1961
   • CCorrect answer: 1999
   • D2015

   Core Trigger: A total solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 August 2026 was the first to cross mainland Europe since 1999.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   Which Spanish archipelago lay on the path of totality?

   • ACanary Islands
   • BAzores
   • CMadeira
   • DCorrect answer: Balearic Islands

   Path: Totality crossed Siberia, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and the Balearic Islands.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 2

3. Question 3Answer A

   Which IMD centre in Kolkata issued India's timings for the 3 March 2026 lunar eclipse?

   • ACorrect answer: Positional Astronomy Centre
   • BRegional Meteorological Centre
   • CCyclone Warning Centre
   • DNational Centre for Seismology

   Authorities: NASA published the path and timings; IMD's Positional Astronomy Centre, Kolkata, issued India's 3 March lunar eclipse timings.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 3

4. Question 4Answer B

   The 12 August 2026 eclipse belongs to which Saros series?

   • ASaros 120
   • BCorrect answer: Saros 126
   • CSaros 136
   • DSaros 145

   Key Numbers: Eclipse magnitude was 1.0386, band width 294 km, Saros series 126.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 4

5. Question 5Answer C

   How long did the longest totality of the 12 August 2026 eclipse last?

   • A1 minute 47.5 seconds
   • B3 minutes 40 seconds
   • CCorrect answer: 2 minutes 18.2 seconds
   • D4 minutes 8 seconds

   Data Point: Longest totality lasted 2 minutes 18.2 seconds, about 45 km off Iceland's coast.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 5

6. Question 6Answer B

   Which is/are correct? (1) The 12 August 2026 eclipse was visible across India. (2) The 3 March 2026 lunar eclipse was visible from most of India.

   • AOnly 1
   • BCorrect answer: Only 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   India Link: The 12 August eclipse was invisible in India; the 3 March 2026 blood moon was visible from most of it.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 7

7. Question 7Answer D

   Iceland's total eclipse of 12 August 2026 is its first since which year?

   • A1900
   • B1945
   • C1999
   • DCorrect answer: 1954

   Venue: Iceland's first total eclipse since 1954 is its only one this century; the next is in 2196.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 8

8. Question 8Answer A

   A solar eclipse occurs at which lunar phase?

   • ACorrect answer: New moon
   • BFull moon
   • CFirst quarter
   • DLast quarter

   Cause: A solar eclipse occurs at new moon when the Moon passes between Sun and Earth.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   How many kinds of solar eclipse are there?

   • ATwo
   • BCorrect answer: Four
   • CThree
   • DFive

   Types: There are four kinds of solar eclipse: total, annular, partial and hybrid.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 10

10. Question 10Answer A

    Which is/are correct? (1) Except at totality, view the Sun only through eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. (2) A total lunar eclipse needs the penumbra.

    • ACorrect answer: Only 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Safety Rule: Except at totality, view the Sun only through eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 265, point 11

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