maximum eclipse; maximum obscuration
Astronomical term for the moment of greatest coverage during an eclipse, when the eclipsed body is most obscured.
The time of maximum eclipse is predicted to be 3:15 PM.
During a total solar eclipse, the diamond ring effect can be seen around the time of maximum eclipse.
食 (しょく) is the general term for an eclipse, while 食甚 specifically refers to the moment of maximum coverage.
皆既食 means 'total eclipse', whereas 食甚 is the point of maximum obscuration within any eclipse, not necessarily total.
Standard kanji spelling for the astronomical term 'maximum eclipse'.
Alternate spelling using 蝕 (eclipse) instead of 食; both are used in astronomical contexts.
Rare variant; 尽 (exhaust) is less common than 甚 (extreme) for this term.
Compound of 食 (eclipse) and 甚 (extreme, very), literally 'extreme eclipse'. The term is used in astronomy to denote the peak phase of an eclipse.