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Solar Eclipses |
An eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Earth passes through the moon's shadow. A total eclipse of the Sun takes place when the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth. When a total eclipse does occur, the Moon's shadow covers only a small portion of the Earth. In ancient times, people were frightened by solar eclipses. Now eclipses are of great interest to the public and to solar astronomers. If you ever get to view a solar eclipse, make sure to never look at the Sun directly! Always use one of these safe viewing devices. |
Recent and Future Eclipses of the Sun
Movie from Africa of the March 29, 2006 total eclipse of the Sun
Last Eclipse of the 20th Century
Here is an image of
the eclipse taken by F. Diego of University College, London
Here is a movie of the
(partial) eclipse as seen from the Yohkoh spacecraft soft X-ray
telescope (218K Mpeg).
Movie credit
A movie of the eclipse
taken in India by Fred Espenak of NASA Goddard Space Flight center
(840K Mpeg).
An eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Earth passes through the Moon's shadow. A total eclipse of the Sun takes place only during a new moon, when the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth. When a total eclipse does occur, the Moon's shadow covers only a small portion of the Earth, where the eclipse is visible. As the Moon moves in its orbit, the position of the shadow changes, so total solar eclipses usually only last a minute or two in a given location. In ancient times, people were frightened by solar eclipses (even back then people realized that the Sun was essential to life on Earth). Now eclipses are of great interest to the public and to astronomers. Eclipses provide an opportunity to view the Sun's outer atmosphere, the solar corona. If you ever get to view a solar eclipse, make sure to never look at the Sun directly! Always use one of these safe techniques. |
Recent and Future Solar Eclipses
Movie from Africa of the March 29, 2006 total solar eclipse
Last Eclipse of the 20th Century
Here is an image of
the eclipse taken by F. Diego of University College, London
Here is a movie of the
(partial) eclipse as seen from the Yohkoh spacecraft soft X-ray
telescope (218K Mpeg).
Movie credit
A movie of the eclipse
taken in India by Fred Espenak of NASA Goddard Space Flight center
(840K Mpeg).
An eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Earth passes through the Moon's shadow. A total eclipse of the Sun takes place only during a new moon, when the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth and is positioned just right to cast a shadow on the Earth. When a total eclipse does occur, the Moon's shadow covers only a small portion of the Earth, where the eclipse is visible. As the Moon moves in its orbit (at 1 km/s), the position of the shadow changes, so total solar eclipses usually only last a minute or two in a given location. In ancient times, people were frightened by solar eclipses (even back then people realized that the Sun was essential to life on Earth). Now eclipses are of great interest to the public and to solar astronomers. Eclipses provide an opportunity to view the Sun's outer atmosphere, the solar corona. Because eclipses occur infrequently, solar astronomers have built special instruments called coronagraphs to view the Sun. Coronagraphs block out ("occult") the light coming from the photosphere, allowing the light scattered from the corona to be viewed. If you ever get to view a solar eclipse, make sure to never look at the Sun directly! Always use one of these safe techniques. |
Recent and Future Solar Eclipses
Video webcast from Africa of the March 29, 2006 total solar eclipse
Last Eclipse of the 20th Century
Here is an image of
the eclipse taken by F. Diego of University College, London
Here is a movie of the
(partial) eclipse as seen from the Yohkoh spacecraft soft X-ray
telescope (218K Mpeg).
Movie credit
A movie of the eclipse
taken in India by Fred Espenak of NASA Goddard Space Flight center
(840K Mpeg).
Last modified April 27, 2006 by Randy Russell.
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