Arrange the phases of a solar eclipse in the correct sequence: A) Totality, B) Partial eclipse, C) Umbra, D) Penumbra.

The eclipse starts when the Moon’s penumbral shadow touches the Sun, so the first phase is the penumbra (D). As the penumbra moves across the Sun, the Sun becomes partially covered, which is the partial eclipse (B). When the Moon’s darker umbral shadow reaches the Sun, the umbra (C) covers it completely, producing totality (A). Thus the correct order is D, B, C, A. For example, during a total eclipse the Sun first dims in the penumbra, then shrinks to a partial disk, then vanishes entirely under the umbra.