How long does a solar eclipse last?

During a solar eclipse, the period of totality, which is when the Sun is completely covered, can last as long as seven minutes and 31 seconds, but most end sooner. During this brief phenomenon, the sun's corona can be seen.

The duration of a solar eclipse can depend on many factors. These include whether it is a partial or total eclipse, the distance between the Earth and the Moon and the distance between the Earth and the Sun. From the exact start of the eclipse, when the Moon's edge begins to touch the Sun's to finish, the whole process can take hours.