A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes completely in front of the sun. There are five phases of a total solar eclipse
. During the first phase, the partial eclipse phase, the moon begins to pass in front of the sun, blocking a fraction of it. Second, the total eclipse phase begins and the moon blocks the light from the sun when viewed from a specific location. The third phase, called the totality, is the specific point when the moon completely covers the sun. In this phase, the sky becomes dark as the umbra, or complete shadow of the moon, totally hides the sun's rays, bathing the earth in darkness. In one of the most dramatic elements of a total solar eclipse, the sun's corona, or upper atmosphere, shines all around the moon, which appears black against the fiery halo of the corona. During the fourth phase, the total eclipse ends when the moon begins to move away from the sun and the sky lightens. Finally, in the fifth phase, the moon moves completely out of line with the sun and the eclipse ends.
Which of these best states the main idea?
a. The third phase, called the totality, is the specific point when the moon completely covers the sun.
b. During the fourth phase, the total eclipse ends when the moon begins to move away from the sun and the sky lightens.
c. There are five phases of a total solar eclipse.
d. In one of the most dramatic elements of a total solar eclipse, the sun's corona, or upper atmosphere, shines all around the moon, which appears black against the fiery halo of the corona.
