contact |
A significant stage in the course of a solar eclipse when the limbs of the Sun and Moon appear to be just touching. First contact occurs when the east limb of the Moon reaches the opposite side of the Sun. Second contact is when the west limbs are touching and third contact when the east limbs are touching. Second and third contact mark the beginning and end of totality in a total eclipse. Fourth contact is when the Moon finally clears the Sun's disc. |