#through telescope skywatch and solar viewing glasses

[madscientist008]

Solar Eclipse 2023: Everything you need to know about the first solar eclipse of the year

A solar eclipse is a spectacular astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking some or all of the sun's light from reaching our planet. Depending on the relative positions and distances of the three celestial bodies, a solar eclipse can be total, partial, or annular.

On April 20, 2023, a rare type of solar eclipse will take place: a hybrid solar eclipse. This means that some parts of the world will witness a total eclipse, while others will see an annular eclipse. An annular eclipse happens when the moon is too far from the earth to completely cover the sun, leaving a bright ring of light around the dark lunar disk.

The hybrid solar eclipse of 2023 will be visible from remote areas of Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor. The path of totality, where the moon will completely obscure the sun, will span from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, mostly over water. The duration of totality will vary from less than a second to about a minute and a half, depending on the location.

The hybrid solar eclipse of 2023 will be a once-in-a-decade event, as such eclipses are very rare. The last one occurred in 2013 and the next one will not happen until 2031. They occur when the earth is at a certain point in its orbit around the sun, where the apparent sizes of the sun and the moon are almost equal.

To observe a solar eclipse safely, you need to use special equipment or techniques that protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Never look directly at the sun without proper protection, as this can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Some of the methods you can use are:

Solar filters: These are specially designed glasses or lenses that block most of the sun's light and allow you to view the eclipse directly. Make sure they are certified by a reputable organization and do not have any scratches or defects.

Pinhole projector: This is a simple device that you can make at home using a cardboard box, a sheet of paper, and a small hole. The hole acts as a lens and projects an inverted image of the sun onto the paper inside the box. You can then look at the paper to see the eclipse.

Projection method: This involves using an optical device such as a telescope, binoculars, or camera to project an image of the sun onto a screen or a wall. You can then look at the screen or wall to see the eclipse. Do not look through the device directly at the sun, as this can damage your eyes and the device.

A solar eclipse is not only a beautiful sight to behold, but also an opportunity to learn more about our solar system and its dynamics. Scientists use solar eclipses to study various aspects of the sun, such as its corona, its magnetic field, and its influence on the earth's atmosphere and climate.

The hybrid solar eclipse of 2023 will be an exciting event for skywatchers and enthusiasts around the world. If you are lucky enough to be in its path, make sure you plan ahead and prepare well to enjoy this rare spectacle safely and responsibly.

[hobbyspacer]

Night sky highlights for April 2023

** What's Up: April 2023 Skywatching Tips from NASA - NASA JPL Mercury reaches its highest in the evening sky for the year for Northern Hemisphere observers. The Moon makes its monthly rounds to pair up beautifully with several planets. And viewing conditions may be ideal for the annual Lyrid meteor shower, thanks to no interference from the Moon. 0:00 Intro 0:11 Mercury 1:11 Moon & planet highlights 2:43 Lyrid meteor shower 4:08 April Moon phases Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What's Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatch.... https://youtu.be/MeiGUv5jF5Y ** Tonight's Sky: April 2023 - Space Telescope Science Institute - Tonight's Sky Clear April nights are filled with starry creatures. Near the Big Dipper, you will find several interesting binary stars. You can also spot galaxies like the Pinwheel Galaxy, M82, and M96—the last of which is an asymmetric galaxy that may have been gravitationally disrupted by encounters with its neighbors. Keep watching for space-based views of these celestial objects. ... “Tonight’s Sky” is a monthly video of constellations you can observe in the night sky. The series is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute, home of science operations for the Hubble Space Telescope, in partnership with NASA’s Universe of Learning. This is a recurring show, and you can find more episodes—and other astronomy videos—at https://hubblesite.org/resource-galle.... https://youtu.be/DZrVZ4Sn228 ** What to see in the night sky: April 2023 - BBC Sky at Night Magazine What's in the night sky tonight? Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel guide us through April's night-sky highlights, including Mercury's favourable position in the evening sky, a wonderful encounter between Venus and the Pleiades, Mars in Gemini and the Lyrid meteor shower. https://youtu.be/sAdEwjVw7Zk ** Sky & Telescope's Sky Tour Podcast - April 2023 - Sky & Telescope Youtube Our monthly Sky Tour #astronomy #podcast provides an informative and entertaining 10-minute guided tour of the nighttime sky. Listen to the April episode and follow the #Moon around the sky; spot #Venus and #Mercury soon after #sunset; track down a hunter, a lion, a bear, a snake, and a crow; and watch for the #Lyrids, a modest meteor shower toward month’s end. https://youtu.be/Hf9ZRKQapqA See also - Sky Tour Astronomy Podcast: Upcoming Celestial Events - Sky & Telescope - Observing | Stargazing Guides, Astronomy Podcasts & More - Sky & Telescope ** What's in the Night Sky April 2023 - Hybrid Solar Eclipse | Lyrid Meteor Shower - Alyn Wallace 00:00 Intro 00:24 Pink Paschal Moon 01:14 Milky Way 02:26 Mercury Elongation 03:33 Venus and Pleiades 04:12 Mars 04:29 Saturn 04:40 Hybrid Solar Eclipse 05:45 Lyrid Meteor Shower 07:03 Summary 07:14 WITNS Winners https://youtu.be/bnjUX4OafgM ** Night Sky Notebook April 2023 - Peter Detterline Find out what's happening in the sky when you look up in April 2023. https://youtu.be/ZIDgVVf2NbE ** See also: - April Night Sky Guide (April 2023) | Farmers' Almanac - What to See in the Night Sky for April 2023 | Treehugger.com - 9 Must-See Astronomy Events in the April Night Sky (2023) | SpaceTourismGuide.com - April 22, 2023 night sky snapshot | The Planetary Society === Amazon Ads === Celestron 70mm Travel Scope Portable Refractor Telescope Fully-Coated Glass Optics Ideal Telescope for Beginners BONUS Astronomy Software Package == Stellaris: People of the Stars Read the full article

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

SUNRISE STUNNER: THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE OF JUNE 10TH ** Two weeks after a total eclipse of the Moon, skywatchers in some parts of North America will witness an annular or partial eclipse of the Sun. ** On Thursday morning, June 10th, viewers across the north and northeastern part of North America can witness -- weather permitting -- the continent’s first eclipse of the Sun since August 2017. If you happen to find yourself on a swath of land that runs from southern Ontario and across Hudson Bay in northern Canada, you’ll witness a very special event: an annular eclipse. Unlike a total eclipse, on June 10th the new Moon won’t completely blot out the Sun. The result is a brilliant ring of light that blazes around the black silhouette of the Moon. See below for advice on how to view this safely. The word “annular” comes from the Latin “annulus,” which means “ring.” Annular eclipses occur when the Moon is near apogee, the farthest point in its orbit around Earth, and so it appears smaller in the sky than the Sun. The path of annularity continues from Hudson Bay across Greenland, the Arctic, and into northeastern Russia. Most of Europe, most of Russia, and parts of Asia will be privy to partial phases. For anyone in a small patch of land comprising northwestern Michigan, much of Minnesota, northeastern North Dakota, southeastern Manitoba, and southwestern Ontario, the Sun will be in annular eclipse before sunrise -- this is the “negative path of annularity.” Pay attention to the quality of the light as morning twilight brightens and then seemingly pauses for a while before resuming to wash away the night. If you’re outside the path of annularity (but within the area of visibility), you should see partial phases of the eclipse -- the Sun will appear to have a bite taken out of it. That bite is the silhouette of the new Moon, and its size will depend on your location. As the Sun climbs higher and the Moon moves along in its orbit, the bite gets smaller and eventually disappears. In some locations, the partial eclipse is already underway as the Sun rises. “It’ll be worth scouting around ahead of time for an unobstructed view to the northeastern horizon,” says Sky & Telescope’s observing editor Diana Hannikainen. “You should witness a thrilling sight on the morning of June 10th as the horns of the solar crescent float into view above the horizon.” Bring a camera and a safe solar filter that fits over the front of the lens for a chance to take some extraordinary photos. For a how-to, see Sky & Telescope’s recent articles on solar eclipse photography (https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-blogs/imaging-foundations-richard-wright/how-safely-photograph-sun, https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/imaging-a-solar-eclipse). Here’s a selection of timings associated with the eclipse on June 10th: Local Circumstances of the June 10th Solar Eclipse Location Sunrise -------------Maximum eclipse----------------- Eclipse ends Time Obscuration Sun’s Altitude New York, NY 5:24 5:32:49 72.5% 0.6° 6:30:55 Boston, MA 5:07 5:33:20 72.9% 3.3° 6:32:37 Hartford, CT 5:15 5:33:25 73.1% 2.0° 6:32:09 Manchester, NH 5:06 5:34:27 74.0% 3.6° 6:33:53 Portland, ME 4:59 5:34:46 74.1% 4.7° 6:34:42 Syracuse, NY 5:25 5:37:12 77.3% 1.0° 6:35:39 Burlington, VT 5:08 5:37:31 77.3% 3.6° 6:37:04 Montreal, PQ 5:05 5:39:10 78.8% 4.2° 6:38:58 Quebec City, PQ 4:51 5:39:56 78.8% 6.4° 6:40:41 Toronto, ON 5:36 5:40:05 80.2% 0.6° 6:38:02 Yarmouth, NS 5:42 6:33:03 71.3% 7.2° 7:33:58 Obscuration is the fractional area of the Sun’s disk covered by the Moon. All times are local and a.m. How to View the Eclipse Safely During annularity on June 10th, only 89% of the area of the Sun’s disk will be covered by the Moon. This results in less change in the quality of daylight than you might expect. For those outside the path of annularity, the dimming will be even less and may be imperceptible. You might be tempted to look at the Sun directly. Don’t! The ring of sunlight blazing out from behind the Moon will remain blindingly bright -- literally so. If you have your eclipse glasses from the 2017 event, make sure you check them very carefully for tears, scratches, or pinholes. If they’re intact, you’re good to go. Otherwise, purchase another pair. Remember, ordinary sunglasses won’t do the job. Another neat way to see the eclipse is to create a pinhole projector by poking a small hole in a card, holding it in sunlight with your back to the Sun, and holding a second card about three feet farther away in the first card’s shadow. Or you can project onto the ground directly. Do not look at the Sun through the pinhole! Check out more Sun-viewing methods that Sky & Telescope recommends (https://skyandtelescope.org/2017-total-solar-eclipse/low-tech-eclipse-viewing). Cartographer Michael Zeiler presents detailed maps and graphical information on his website (https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/2021-june-10). In particular, see his diagram of how the rising Sun will appear as seen from many more cities. If you miss this eclipse or are in an unfavorable location, you have two more chances coming up. October 14, 2023, will see the next annular eclipse, one that will cover a broader path across the U.S. from the West Coast, through the Southwest, and finishing in the Gulf of Mexico. And gear up for April 8, 2024: that date will see the first North American total solar eclipse since 2017. The path of totality crosses Mexico, then stretches northeast from Texas to Maine, and leaves the continent in the Canadian Maritime Provinces. See the American Astronomical Society’s eclipse info page (https://eclipse.aas.org/eclipse-america-2021-2024) for details. Read more on this eclipse in the June 2021 issue (https://www.shopatsky.com/sky-telescope-june-2021-magazine) of Sky & Telescope and on S&T’s website: “A Sunrise Annular Solar Eclipse” (https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/a-sunrise-annular-solar-eclipse).

[sciencespies]

Six Eclipses, Four Supermoons and A Rare ‘Great Solstice Appulse’: A Skywatcher's Guide To 2020

https://sciencespies.com/news/six-eclipses-four-supermoons-and-a-rare-great-solstice-appulse-a-skywatchers-guide-to-2020/

Six Eclipses, Four Supermoons and A Rare ‘Great Solstice Appulse’: A Skywatcher's Guide To 2020

Jupiter and the southern Milky Way rising over the Tasman Sea, at Cape Conran, on the Gippsland … [+] Coast in Victoria, Australia The Southern Cross and Coal Sack are at top right, with the Pointers of Alpha and Beta Centauri below The dark lanes in the Milky Way form the head and neck of the Dark Emu, here rising out of the ocean in the southeast Jupiter is the bright object at left The waves below Jupiter may be blue from bioluminesence This is a stack of 4 x 40-second exposures for the ground, mean combined to smooth noise and further blur the water, and one 4-second exposure for the sky, all with the 14mm Rokinon lens at f/25 and Canon 6D at ISO 3200. (Photo by: VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Will 2020 be the year you start stargazing? You’ve picked a great time to start. Here are the celestial highlights of the next 12 months:

The ‘Solstice Ring Of Fire Eclipse’

An annular Solar Eclipse is observed on May 21, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty … [+] Images)

Getty Images

Earth just had one on Christmas Day, but an annular solar eclipse is coming in 2020 that’s extra special.

Although it will have to be viewed through solar eclipse glasses, the sight of a bright circle around the moon well, on June 21, 2020—the date of the solstice—bring fading light levels and possibly a view of the solar corona to intrepid eclipse-chasers.

They will gather in Ethiopia, Oman and Tibet for a super-short eclipse lasting as little as 23 seconds.

Nature’s grandest spectacle: total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse in Grand Teton National Park on August 21, 2017 outside Jackson, Wyoming. … [+] (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)

Getty Images

If you’ve never seen the famous “hole in the sky“—one of nature’s greatest displays—another chance will come on December 14, 2020 when the Moon’s central shadow will take just 24 minutes to cross Chile and Argentina. Observers on the centerline of the path of totality in southern Chile’s beautiful Lake District and Argentina’s region of Patagonia will experience 2 minutes 9 seconds totality.

Four lunar eclipses

There will be four penumbral lunar eclipses in 2020. These are not dramatic events, but the sight of a light grey and easy to look at full moon is still a strange sight to experienced moon-gazers. Such eclipses are caused when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are almost, but not quite aligned, and our satellite drifts into Earth’s shadow for a few hours. Here’s when they’re happening, and who on the Earth’s night-side will see them:

January 10, 2020: Wolf Moon Eclipse (Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa). Note: occurs two weeks after the “Christmas Eclipse” and is the deepest, and so the most impressive, penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020.

June 5, 2020: Strawberry Moon Eclipse (Asia, Africa and Australia). Note: occurs two weeks before an annular solar eclipse.

July 5, 2020: Thunder Moon Eclipse (South America, North America and Africa). Note: occurs two weeks after an annular solar eclipse.

November 29-30, 2020: Frosty Moon Eclipse (North and South America, Australia and East Asia). Note: occurs two weeks before a total solar eclipse in South America.

This photograph shows a full moon during the peak of the penumbral eclipse seen from Pakistan’s … [+] capital of Islamabad late on August 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHI (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Three supermoons

Defined as less than 223,694 miles from the center of Earth, supermoon full moons will occur three times in 2020. If you want to appreciate their larger apparent size, always look east at moonrise or west at moonset. Only when they are close to the horizon can you appreciate their extra size and brightness.

March 9: Super Worm Moon

April 8: Super Pink Moon

May 7: Super Flower Moon

BEIJING, CHINA – MARCH 21: A super moon, announcing the end of the winter season, rises behind the … [+] ridge of a house roof on March 21, 2019 in Beijing, China. The Super Worm Moon occurs on the day as the Spring Equinox on Thursday. The moon becomes full at 9:42 p.m., almost 4 hours after the vernal equinox which is at 5:58 p.m.. (Photo by Zhang Yinsheng/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

Visual China Group via Getty Images

‘Giant planet week’

Since Earth is an inner planet, on one day each year it gets between the Sun and each outer planet. On that day that planet is at its brightest as seen from Earth. In 2020, both Saturn and Jupiter go into so-called “opposition” in the same week. A small telescope will get your awesome views of Jupiter’s cloud bands and Saturn’s rings.

July 14: Jupiter at opposition

July 20: Saturn at opposition

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals the intricate, detailed beauty of Jupiter’s clouds in … [+] this new image taken on 27 June 2019 by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3, when the planet was 644 million kilometres from Earth — its closest distance this year. The image features the planet’s trademark Great Red Spot and a more intense colour palette in the clouds swirling in the planet’s turbulent atmosphere than seen in previous years. The observations of Jupiter form part of the Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) programme.

NASA, ESA, A. Simon (Goddard Spa

Three promising meteor showers

2019 wasn’t a particularly good year for shooting stars, with many of the years major meteor showers marred by bright moonlight. It gets a little easier in 2020, with the moon staying out of the way of these displays, though August’s Perseids meteor shower is again a casualty of our satellite. Here are the three to plan for:

April 21-22: Lyrids meteor shower (moon is 1% illuminated)

November 16-17: Leonids meteor shower (moon is 5% illuminated)

December 13-14: Geminids meteor shower (moon is 1% illuminated)

TRONA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 02 — View of meteorite streaking over Trona Pinnacles near Death … [+] Valley, CA during annual Perseid Meteor Showers, August 2, 2019. (Photo by Bob Riha Jr.,Getty Images)

Getty Images

A ‘Great Solstice Appulse’

Here’s something that’s not happened since the year 2000 and won’t happen again until 2040. On December 21, 2020—the exact date of the solstice—Saturn and Jupiter will appear incredibly close together (just 0.06º apart) right after sunset. Astronomer’s call this an “appulse”or a “great conjunction.” It will all be a matter of perspective; Jupiter and Saturn will actually be 733 million miles from each other, as well as being 887 million miles and 1620 million miles from Earth, respectively. However, from Earth, the giant gas planets will appear almost as one.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes

#News

[spoontoma]

Posted @withregram • @avaloveshopnyc 🌑🌹Report from NASA . . . Posted @withregram • @nancycsmithpa Repost from @nasa • Super Flower Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse!!! Say that 20 times fast!!! 💨 Early risers rejoice! Watch one of the sky’s most spectacular shows happening Wednesday, May 26, when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, creating a total lunar eclipse. This will be the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. You don't need special glasses or gizmos to view it, unlike a solar eclipse, so feel free to stare directly at the Moon. Binoculars or a telescope will improve the view! But first, let’s get some clarity, shall we?… 💥 Why is it “super”? Did you know that the shape of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth isn’t a perfect circle, but an oval? When a full Moon reaches the point closest to Earth on its elliptical orbit, it’s called a supermoon! 🌼 Why is it “flower”? The name is a reference to the flowers that bloom in May. 🩸 Why is it “blood”? The Moon will appear blood red as it aligns with the Sun and Earth and passes fully into Earth’s shadow, or umbra. The Moon’s red hue is caused by red-orange light refracted through Earth’s atmosphere and can appear even redder if there are lots of clouds or dust. 👀 Skywatchers, where will you be watching from? Tag us in your favorite picture you’ve taken of our beautiful Moon! We’ll be keeping an eye out to share a few in our Instagram Story! The total lunar eclipse will begin at 4:47am ET (08:47 UTC) and end at 9:50am ET (13:50 UTC), with peak totality — the "blood moon" stage — occurring at 7:16am ET (11:16 UTC). Credit: NASA #NASA #TotalEclipse #Galaxy #Earth #SuperFlowerBloodMoon #Skywatchers #Universe #Eclipse #Moon #Sky (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPVJmXsjNoh/?utm_medium=tumblr

[unexplainedthings]

is it true that we can't take picture of the eclipse or it'll fry our phones?

Tip No. 1: Use a filter to protect your screen. It is possible to damage your cellphone or tablet while photographing the sun, according to Angela Speck, co-chair of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Eclipse Task Force and director of astronomy at the University of Missouri.From space.com. If you want to protect your screen, put a solar viewing filter or one-half of a pair of solar-viewing glasses in front of the phone camera during the partial eclipse phases. (WARNING: This applies only to basic tablet/phone cameras. Darker solar filters are required for observing the sun through telescopes, binoculars and magnifying camera lenses.) This reduces the brightness of the sun on the screen. Speck advises skywatchers to first remove the device from its case, so that the filter can lie flat against the camera.Tip No. 2: Protect your eyes while photographing the partial eclipse. It is possible that viewing the unfiltered sun on your cellphone or tablet screen could damage your eyes if you stare at the screen long enough. This is another reason to use a solar viewer over the camera.But a more serious threat is the possibility that amateur photographers will inadvertently look directly at the sun while trying to snap a photo. If you point your cellphone up toward the sun, the phone or tablet might not block the bright glowing orb as you attempt to look at the screen. Thus, you could unintentionally look directly at the sun while trying to take a photograph (even if the camera is covered with a solar filter). To avoid this, use the front-facing camera on your phone or tablet, and lay the device on the ground so it looks up at the sun. With this setup, you (the photographer) have to look down at the ground to see the screen.Hope this helps!

[parcstoneaptsfayetteville-blog]

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

  On Aug. 21, 2017, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse.

The so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this “path of totality” for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience.

Here is Space.com’s complete guide to the 2017 total solar eclipse. It includes information about where and when to see it, how long it lasts, what you can expect to see, and how to plan ahead to ensure you get the most out of this incredible experience.

REMEMBER: During totality, when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye. But skywatchers should NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the disk of the moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun in the sky. The fact that total solar eclipses occur at all is a quirk of cosmic geometry. The moon orbits an average of 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from Earth — just the right distance to seem the same size in the sky as the much-larger sun. However, these heavenly bodies line up only about once every 18 months.

Outside the path of totality, skywatchers in the continental U.S. and other nearby areas will see a partial solar eclipse, in which the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun’s disk. Two to five solar eclipses occur each year on average, but total solar eclipses happen just once every 18 months or so.

What will I see during a total solar eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the disk of the moon blocks out the last sliver of light from the sun, and the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. The corona is far from an indistinct haze; skywatchers report seeing great jets and ribbons of light, twisting and curling out into the sky.

“It brings people to tears,” Rick Fienberg, a spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society (AAS), told Space.com of the experience. “It makes people’s jaw drop.”

During totality, the area inside the moon’s shadow is cloaked in twilight — a very strange feeling to experience in the middle of the day. Just before and just after totality, observers can see this cloak of darkness moving toward them across the landscape, and then moving away.

These effects are not visible during a partial solar eclipse, so skywatchers are encouraged to see if they are inside the path of totality during the total eclipse.

Where will the total solar eclipse be visible?

The path of totality for the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It passes through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can use this interactive map from NASA to zoom in on the path and find out the exact locations from which it will be visible.

You can also check out our state-by-state guide to find out which major cities and prime locations will fall inside the path of totality. You may also want to attend one of the many eclipse parties and organized events taking place around the path of totality.

When will the total solar eclipse occur, and how long will it last?

The timing of the total solar eclipse and its duration both depend on where you are inside the path of totality.

At most, the moon will completely cover the disk of the sun for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s about how long totality will last for observers positioned anywhere along the center of the path of totality. As you move toward the edge of the path, the duration of totality will decrease. People standing at the very edge of the path may observe totality for only a few seconds.

Do I need any equipment to view the eclipse?

Anyone planning to view the total solar eclipse of 2017 should get a pair of solar viewing glasses. These protective shades make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun before and after totality. The following four companies sell eclipse glasses that meet the international standard (ISO 12312-2) recommended by NASA, the AAS and other scientific organizations: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, Lunt Solar Systems and TSE 17.

Sunglasses cannot be used in place of solar viewing glasses. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

During totality, when the disk of the sun is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to look up at the celestial sight with the naked eye.

Binoculars are helpful for seeing more detail in the solar corona. Telescopes are not necessary, but some skywatchers may use low-powered telescopes to observe the sun’s atmosphere during totality. Note that telescopes, binoculars and cameras must be fitted with solar filters before and after totality. Pointing an unprotected lens directly at the sun can damage the instrument. NEVER look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter — the magnified light can damage your eyes faster than looking at the sun unaided.

Skywatchers outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Solar viewing glasses allow skywatchers to look directly at the moon’s progress across the face of the sun. You can also view the progress of a partial solar eclipse using a pinhole camera.

For more information, see our complete guide for how to view the eclipse safely.

via https://apartmentsfayetteville.com/total-solar-eclipse-2017-when-where-and-how-to-see-it-safely/

[aldaraaptsutah-blog]

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

>

  On Aug. 21, 2017, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse.

The so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this “path of totality” for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience.

Here is Space.com’s complete guide to the 2017 total solar eclipse. It includes information about where and when to see it, how long it lasts, what you can expect to see, and how to plan ahead to ensure you get the most out of this incredible experience.

REMEMBER: During totality, when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye. But skywatchers should NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the disk of the moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun in the sky. The fact that total solar eclipses occur at all is a quirk of cosmic geometry. The moon orbits an average of 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from Earth — just the right distance to seem the same size in the sky as the much-larger sun. However, these heavenly bodies line up only about once every 18 months.

Outside the path of totality, skywatchers in the continental U.S. and other nearby areas will see a partial solar eclipse, in which the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun’s disk. Two to five solar eclipses occur each year on average, but total solar eclipses happen just once every 18 months or so.

What will I see during a total solar eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the disk of the moon blocks out the last sliver of light from the sun, and the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. The corona is far from an indistinct haze; skywatchers report seeing great jets and ribbons of light, twisting and curling out into the sky.

“It brings people to tears,” Rick Fienberg, a spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society (AAS), told Space.com of the experience. “It makes people’s jaw drop.”

During totality, the area inside the moon’s shadow is cloaked in twilight — a very strange feeling to experience in the middle of the day. Just before and just after totality, observers can see this cloak of darkness moving toward them across the landscape, and then moving away.

These effects are not visible during a partial solar eclipse, so skywatchers are encouraged to see if they are inside the path of totality during the total eclipse.

Where will the total solar eclipse be visible?

The path of totality for the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It passes through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can use this interactive map from NASA to zoom in on the path and find out the exact locations from which it will be visible.

You can also check out our state-by-state guide to find out which major cities and prime locations will fall inside the path of totality. You may also want to attend one of the many eclipse parties and organized events taking place around the path of totality.

When will the total solar eclipse occur, and how long will it last?

The timing of the total solar eclipse and its duration both depend on where you are inside the path of totality.

At most, the moon will completely cover the disk of the sun for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s about how long totality will last for observers positioned anywhere along the center of the path of totality. As you move toward the edge of the path, the duration of totality will decrease. People standing at the very edge of the path may observe totality for only a few seconds.

Do I need any equipment to view the eclipse?

Anyone planning to view the total solar eclipse of 2017 should get a pair of solar viewing glasses. These protective shades make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun before and after totality. The following four companies sell eclipse glasses that meet the international standard (ISO 12312-2) recommended by NASA, the AAS and other scientific organizations: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, Lunt Solar Systems and TSE 17.

Sunglasses cannot be used in place of solar viewing glasses. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

During totality, when the disk of the sun is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to look up at the celestial sight with the naked eye.

Binoculars are helpful for seeing more detail in the solar corona. Telescopes are not necessary, but some skywatchers may use low-powered telescopes to observe the sun’s atmosphere during totality. Note that telescopes, binoculars and cameras must be fitted with solar filters before and after totality. Pointing an unprotected lens directly at the sun can damage the instrument. NEVER look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter — the magnified light can damage your eyes faster than looking at the sun unaided.

Skywatchers outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Solar viewing glasses allow skywatchers to look directly at the moon’s progress across the face of the sun. You can also view the progress of a partial solar eclipse using a pinhole camera.

For more information, see our complete guide for how to view the eclipse safely.

via http://aldaraapartments.com/total-solar-eclipse-2017-when-where-and-how-to-see-it-safely/

[cottagesontazewellapts-blog]

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

  On Aug. 21, 2017, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse.

The so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this “path of totality” for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience.

Here is Space.com’s complete guide to the 2017 total solar eclipse. It includes information about where and when to see it, how long it lasts, what you can expect to see, and how to plan ahead to ensure you get the most out of this incredible experience.

REMEMBER: During totality, when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye. But skywatchers should NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the disk of the moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun in the sky. The fact that total solar eclipses occur at all is a quirk of cosmic geometry. The moon orbits an average of 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from Earth — just the right distance to seem the same size in the sky as the much-larger sun. However, these heavenly bodies line up only about once every 18 months.

Outside the path of totality, skywatchers in the continental U.S. and other nearby areas will see a partial solar eclipse, in which the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun’s disk. Two to five solar eclipses occur each year on average, but total solar eclipses happen just once every 18 months or so.

What will I see during a total solar eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the disk of the moon blocks out the last sliver of light from the sun, and the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. The corona is far from an indistinct haze; skywatchers report seeing great jets and ribbons of light, twisting and curling out into the sky.

“It brings people to tears,” Rick Fienberg, a spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society (AAS), told Space.com of the experience. “It makes people’s jaw drop.”

During totality, the area inside the moon’s shadow is cloaked in twilight — a very strange feeling to experience in the middle of the day. Just before and just after totality, observers can see this cloak of darkness moving toward them across the landscape, and then moving away.

These effects are not visible during a partial solar eclipse, so skywatchers are encouraged to see if they are inside the path of totality during the total eclipse.

Where will the total solar eclipse be visible?

The path of totality for the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It passes through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can use this interactive map from NASA to zoom in on the path and find out the exact locations from which it will be visible.

You can also check out our state-by-state guide to find out which major cities and prime locations will fall inside the path of totality. You may also want to attend one of the many eclipse parties and organized events taking place around the path of totality.

When will the total solar eclipse occur, and how long will it last?

The timing of the total solar eclipse and its duration both depend on where you are inside the path of totality.

At most, the moon will completely cover the disk of the sun for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s about how long totality will last for observers positioned anywhere along the center of the path of totality. As you move toward the edge of the path, the duration of totality will decrease. People standing at the very edge of the path may observe totality for only a few seconds.

Do I need any equipment to view the eclipse?

Anyone planning to view the total solar eclipse of 2017 should get a pair of solar viewing glasses. These protective shades make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun before and after totality. The following four companies sell eclipse glasses that meet the international standard (ISO 12312-2) recommended by NASA, the AAS and other scientific organizations: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, Lunt Solar Systems and TSE 17.

Sunglasses cannot be used in place of solar viewing glasses. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

During totality, when the disk of the sun is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to look up at the celestial sight with the naked eye.

Binoculars are helpful for seeing more detail in the solar corona. Telescopes are not necessary, but some skywatchers may use low-powered telescopes to observe the sun’s atmosphere during totality. Note that telescopes, binoculars and cameras must be fitted with solar filters before and after totality. Pointing an unprotected lens directly at the sun can damage the instrument. NEVER look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter — the magnified light can damage your eyes faster than looking at the sun unaided.

Skywatchers outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Solar viewing glasses allow skywatchers to look directly at the moon’s progress across the face of the sun. You can also view the progress of a partial solar eclipse using a pinhole camera.

For more information, see our complete guide for how to view the eclipse safely.

p>via https://tazewellapartments.com/total-solar-eclipse-2017-when-where-and-how-to-see-it-safely/

[stoneridgeaptsfayetteville-blog]

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: When, Where and How to See It (Safely)

  On Aug. 21, 2017, America will fall under the path of a total solar eclipse.

The so-called Great American Total Solar Eclipse will darken skies all the way from Oregon to South Carolina, along a stretch of land about 70 miles (113 kilometers) wide. People who descend upon this “path of totality” for the big event are in for an unforgettable experience.

Here is Space.com’s complete guide to the 2017 total solar eclipse. It includes information about where and when to see it, how long it lasts, what you can expect to see, and how to plan ahead to ensure you get the most out of this incredible experience.

REMEMBER: During totality, when the sun’s disk is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to view the eclipse with the naked eye. But skywatchers should NEVER look at a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Looking directly at the sun, even when it is partially covered by the moon, can cause serious eye damage or blindness. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the disk of the moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun in the sky. The fact that total solar eclipses occur at all is a quirk of cosmic geometry. The moon orbits an average of 239,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from Earth — just the right distance to seem the same size in the sky as the much-larger sun. However, these heavenly bodies line up only about once every 18 months.

Outside the path of totality, skywatchers in the continental U.S. and other nearby areas will see a partial solar eclipse, in which the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun’s disk. Two to five solar eclipses occur each year on average, but total solar eclipses happen just once every 18 months or so.

What will I see during a total solar eclipse?

During a total solar eclipse, the disk of the moon blocks out the last sliver of light from the sun, and the sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. The corona is far from an indistinct haze; skywatchers report seeing great jets and ribbons of light, twisting and curling out into the sky.

“It brings people to tears,” Rick Fienberg, a spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society (AAS), told Space.com of the experience. “It makes people’s jaw drop.”

During totality, the area inside the moon’s shadow is cloaked in twilight — a very strange feeling to experience in the middle of the day. Just before and just after totality, observers can see this cloak of darkness moving toward them across the landscape, and then moving away.

These effects are not visible during a partial solar eclipse, so skywatchers are encouraged to see if they are inside the path of totality during the total eclipse.

Where will the total solar eclipse be visible?

The path of totality for the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It passes through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can use this interactive map from NASA to zoom in on the path and find out the exact locations from which it will be visible.

You can also check out our state-by-state guide to find out which major cities and prime locations will fall inside the path of totality. You may also want to attend one of the many eclipse parties and organized events taking place around the path of totality.

When will the total solar eclipse occur, and how long will it last?

The timing of the total solar eclipse and its duration both depend on where you are inside the path of totality.

At most, the moon will completely cover the disk of the sun for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s about how long totality will last for observers positioned anywhere along the center of the path of totality. As you move toward the edge of the path, the duration of totality will decrease. People standing at the very edge of the path may observe totality for only a few seconds.

Do I need any equipment to view the eclipse?

Anyone planning to view the total solar eclipse of 2017 should get a pair of solar viewing glasses. These protective shades make it possible for observers to look directly at the sun before and after totality. The following four companies sell eclipse glasses that meet the international standard (ISO 12312-2) recommended by NASA, the AAS and other scientific organizations: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, Lunt Solar Systems and TSE 17.

Sunglasses cannot be used in place of solar viewing glasses. See our complete guide to find out how to view the eclipse safely.

During totality, when the disk of the sun is completely covered by the moon, it is safe to look up at the celestial sight with the naked eye.

Binoculars are helpful for seeing more detail in the solar corona. Telescopes are not necessary, but some skywatchers may use low-powered telescopes to observe the sun’s atmosphere during totality. Note that telescopes, binoculars and cameras must be fitted with solar filters before and after totality. Pointing an unprotected lens directly at the sun can damage the instrument. NEVER look at the sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter — the magnified light can damage your eyes faster than looking at the sun unaided.

Skywatchers outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. Solar viewing glasses allow skywatchers to look directly at the moon’s progress across the face of the sun. You can also view the progress of a partial solar eclipse using a pinhole camera.

For more information, see our complete guide for how to view the eclipse safely.

viahttps://apartmentsfayetteville-nc.com/total-solar-eclipse-2017-when-where-and-how-to-see-it-safely/

[sciencespies]

Photos show thrilling 'ring of fire' solar eclipse from this weekend

https://sciencespies.com/space/photos-show-thrilling-ring-of-fire-solar-eclipse-from-this-weekend/

Photos show thrilling 'ring of fire' solar eclipse from this weekend

Skywatchers along a narrow band from west Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, India and the Far East witnessed a dramatic “ring of fire” solar eclipse Sunday.

So-called annular eclipses occur when the Moon – passing between Earth and the Sun – is not quite close enough to our planet to completely obscure sunlight, leaving a thin ring of the solar disc visible.

They happen every year or two, and can only be seen from a narrow pathway across the planet.

Sunday’s eclipse arrived on the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year – the summer solstice – when the North Pole is tilted most directly towards the Sun.

It was first visible in northeastern Republic of Congo from 05:56 local time (04:56 GMT) just a few minutes after sunrise.

That was the point of maximum duration, with the blackout lasting a minute and 22 seconds.

Arcing eastward across Africa and Asia, it reached “maximum eclipse” – with a perfect solar halo around the Moon – over Uttarakhand, India near the Sino-Indian border at 12:10 local time (06:40 GMT).

日环食拍摄大成功！！ Just finish my first series of total solar eclipse photo from Xiamen today! With Mouffy and Pico together! We all felt exhausted but everything is worth for this!#solareclipse #SolarEclipsejune2020 #Xiamen pic.twitter.com/RKqBnT7HMY

— 墨非 Mouffy&Murmur (@Mouffybear) June 21, 2020

More spectacular, but less long-lived: the exact alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun was visible for only 38 seconds.

In Nairobi, East Africa, observers saw only a partial eclipse as clouds blocked the sky for several seconds at the exact moment the Moon should have almost hidden the Sun.

The eclipse seen in Kolkata. (Debajyoti Chakraborty/NurPhoto/AFP)

Despite some disappointment, Susan Murbana told AFP: “It was very exciting because I think I’m so obsessed with eclipses.”

“Today has been very kind to us in terms of the clouds. And we’ve been able to see most of it,” said Murbana who set up the Travelling Telescope educational programme with her husband Chu.

Coronavirus hits viewing

Without the coronavirus pandemic, they would have organised a trip to Lake Magadi in southern Kenya where the skies are generally clearer than over the capital.

“With the pandemic situation, we’re not able to have crowds… and get kids to look through or do stuff,” she said, but still managed to share the event on social media.

Happening now: “Ring of fire” solar eclipse pictured in #China‘s Tibet, Zhengzhou City and Beijing. #SolarEclipse2020 pic.twitter.com/NLPuby996l

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 21, 2020

The annular eclipse is visible from only about two percent of Earth’s surface, Florent Delefie, an astronomer at the Paris Observatory, told AFP.

“It’s a bit like switching from a 500-watt to a 30-watt light bulb,” he added. “It’s a cold light and you don’t see as well.”

Sri Lanka closed its planetarium to prevent a gathering of amateur astronomers due to the coronavirus outbreak, but live-streamed the celestial event on Facebook.

A small group of about 15 students huddled around a telescope at the University of Colombo to watch the eclipse.

Some students used a welding mask to stare at the sun, while others wore glasses made with filters that cut out ultra-violet rays.

Coronavirus precautions were also taken in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, as dozens of students and astronomy enthusiasts gathered on a rooftop.

Children witness the eclipse in Chennai on 21 June 2020. (Arun Sankar/AFP)

Only a few were allowed at the viewing area at a time, wearing masks and sanitising their hands as they waited their turn.

“I was worried because it is a cloudy day, but the view was excellent,” 19-year-old student Swechhya Gurung told AFP.

In Hong Kong, dozens of skywatchers ranging from astronomy enthusiasts with telescopes to families enjoying Father’s Day gathered at a waterfront park in east Kowloon to witness the spectacle, which lasted about 90 minutes.

Solar eclipse shadow 📌 Sorsogon City #Eklipse2020 pic.twitter.com/trY8XGt9a5

— 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎 🌺 (@anjtect) June 21, 2020

Lunar eclipse to follow

Cheers erupted from the crowd when the cloud cleared and the eclipse was clearly visible.

The full eclipse was visible at successive locations over a period of nearly four hours, and one of the last places to see the partially hidden Sun was Taiwan.

Moonshadow. Today’s solar eclipse, from space. (images via Japan Met Agency satellite Himawari-8) pic.twitter.com/lcb0m0SCF5

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) June 21, 2020

A solar eclipse always occurs around two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse, when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow. Lunar eclipses are visible from about half of the Earth’s surface.

A lunar eclipse is due on July 5, with the best viewing over North and South America, southern Europe and Africa.

There will be a second solar eclipse in 2020 on December 14 over South America. Because the Moon will be a bit closer to Earth, it will block out the Sun’s light entirely.

© Agence France-Presse

#Space

[sciencespies]

Here's how you can easily watch the 'ring of fire' solar eclipse online

https://sciencespies.com/space/heres-how-you-can-easily-watch-the-ring-of-fire-solar-eclipse-online/

Here's how you can easily watch the 'ring of fire' solar eclipse online

The Moon will blot out part of the Sun during the “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Thursday (June 10) morning. But, no one should simply gaze upward at a solar eclipse (unless the Sun is completely covered by the Moon during totality, which is NOT happening this time).

So, what’s a skygazer to do?

Depending on where you are, you’ll be able to see the solar eclipse either in person – weather and gear permitting – or online with live streams. 

For the lucky in-person viewers, the Sun will appear a little dimmer than usual. But, if you have safe eclipse-watching gear, such as solar eclipse glasses or a solar eclipse viewer (here’s a step-by-step photo guide on how to make one from a box), you’ll be able to see the Moon partially stamp out the Sun during the first solar eclipse of 2021. 

Related: Photos: 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses occur when the Moon zips between Earth and the Sun. In places that fall directly along the eclipse’s path, in this case parts of Canada, Greenland and northern Russia, skywatchers will see an annular eclipse – when the Moon blocks out all of the sun except its fiery outer edges, earning it the name “ring of fire.” 

In other places, including parts of the American East and northern Alaska, much of Canada, and parts of the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and northern Africa, viewers with eclipse-watching gear will see a crescent Sun, NASA reported. This is known as a partial solar eclipse, and it will look as if the Moon took a circular bite out of the Sun. 

The eclipse begins at 4:12 a.m. EDT (08:12 UTC), reaches its maximum at 6:41 a.m. EDT (10:41 UTC) and ends at 9:11 a.m. EDT (13:11 UTC), according to timeanddate.com.

For the majority of the American East, the solar eclipse will be visible at sunrise, for instance at 5:24 a.m. EDT (09:24 UTC) on June 10 in New York. Refer to the slideshow here to check the timing for your location. 

(Michael Zeiler/Great American Eclipse)

How to watch in-person 

If you’re watching the eclipse in-person, remember that regular sunglasses won’t protect your eyes from the Sun. Looking directly at the Sun can lead to a condition known as solar retinopathy, in which sunlight burns the light-sensitive retina in the eye, permanently damaging vision.

Instead, skywatchers can use solar eclipse glasses, which “block 100 percent of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays and 99.99 percent of intense visible light,” said Paulo Aur, chief financial officer and chief operating officer at American Paper Optics, which manufactures solar eclipse glasses.

“They protect your eyes for intermittent viewing of the Sun during a solar eclipse.”

However, there are a few fakes on the market, so people should make sure any glasses they plan to use are ISO 12312-2 tested and certified, meaning they’ve met standards for eye safety when looking at the Sun set by the International Organization for Standardization, Aur noted.

If you still have glasses from the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse, it’s time to toss them in the trash, Aur added.

“As dictated by ISO 12312-2, we are required to put an obsolescence period on our glasses,” he told Live Science.

“Ours is three years, so glasses from 2017 are now outdated.”

That’s because, in part, these glasses are made of paper and adhesive, so “there may be some delamination due to humidity, if the glasses got wet, were stored in excessive heat, etc. … The lenses may also have scratches or pin holes that are not visible to the human eye, which may cause eye damage,” Aur said.

Skywatchers can also make a solar eclipse viewer out of a box, or construct a homemade Sun projector with binoculars and cardboard.

Even looking at the shadows the eclipsed Sun casts through the holes of a spaghetti strainer or colander will reveal the solar eclipse.

Online viewing

If your location has bad weather or it doesn’t fall along the annular or partial eclipse paths, there are plenty of viewing options online.

Starting at 5 am EDT (09:00 UTC), the Virtual Telescope Project, based in Rome, will show the solar eclipse.

Because the ring of fire won’t be visible from Rome, the Virtual Telescope project is partnering with skywatchers in Canada, where the eclipse will be annular, Gianluca Masi, astrophysicist and director of the Virtual Telescope Project, wrote on the website.

Another livestream of the solar eclipse will be broadcast at timeanddate.com, at 5 am EDT (09:00 UTC). 

Yet another option is NASA Live, which will show the partial eclipse starting at 5 am EDT (09:00 UTC).

Finally, Royal Observatory Greenwich in the United Kingdom is broadcasting the solar eclipse starting at 5:05 am EDT (10:05 UTC).

Editor’s note: Remember to NEVER look directly at the Sun during most of an eclipse, or at any other time, without proper protection. You must wear solar eclipse viewers; sunglasses won’t do the trick. Here’s a visual step-by-step guide (and a video) for how to make your own viewers.

Related content:

How to make a solar eclipse viewer (photos)

NASA’s total solar eclipse maps show best viewing spots (photos)

In photos: Ancient rock art depicts total solar eclipse in Chaco Canyon

This article was originally published by Live Science. Read the original article here.

#Space

[sciencespies]

How to Watch Mercury’s Rare Transit Across the Sun

https://sciencespies.com/news/how-to-watch-mercurys-rare-transit-across-the-sun/

How to Watch Mercury’s Rare Transit Across the Sun

On the morning of November 11, skywatchers around the world will have the opportunity to witness a rare celestial treat. Mercury is due to pass across the sun, an event known as a transit. The smallest planet’s next transit won’t be visible from Earth until 2032, and those who live in the United States won’t be able to see a transit until 2049. So provided that you have the proper equipment—or access to a good webcast—now is your chance to take a look.

For planetary transits to be visible from our vantage point, several factors have to align. For one, we can only witness the transits of Mercury and Venus because their orbits are closer to the sun than that of Earth.

Mercury’s orbit is inclined seven degrees to the ecliptic, or plane of Earth’s orbit, as Bob King of Sky and Telescope explains. And Mercury’s orbit intersects with the ecliptic twice during each revolution around the sun, currently in early May and November. But we don’t see transits every year because planets take different amounts of time to make their way around the sun, and thus do not always meet at the two points of overlap, according to Doris Elin Urrutia of Space.com. If Earth and Mercury arrive at these points, called nodes, at the same time—voila, we have a transit.

On average, there are 13 transits of Mercury each century. Venus transits happen in pairs, with eight years separating the two events—and more than a century passes between each transit duo. We won’t be able to see Venus’ next jaunt across the sun until 2117, reports David Dickson of Science Alert.

Fortunately for those who are eager to see a transit in action, the time is right on November 11. In North America, people on the east coast are well poised to see the entire event. In more westerly locales, the transit will have started by the time the sun rises, so it won’t be possible to witness the transit in its entirety. But there is still plenty of time to get a glimpse. Mercury will start its transit at 7:35 a.m. EST, and the event will last for five hours and 28 minutes.

All of South America will be able to view the entire transit, as will parts of Central America and Africa. “[F]arther east in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the sun will set with the planet still in transit,” King notes. “China, Australia, Indonesia, much of Asia, and the western half of Alaska won’t see the show.”

On the day of the transit, King adds, Mercury will appear to be just one-194th the size of the sun—a small, dark speck moving across a huge, blazing surface. The planet is, in fact, small enough that you won’t be able to see it without a telescope or pair of binoculars—and you must make sure that your equipment is kitted out with a safe solar filter. Do not try staring directly into the sun; you won’t see anything, and it’s dangerous. And don’t use solar eclipse glasses to look through binoculars and telescopes. The lenses will amplify the sunlight hitting your eyes, according to Urrutia.

If you don’t have the proper viewing equipment, you can watch short movies of the transit on a NASA platform, in “almost real time.” Webcasts are also available through platforms like Slooh, which livestreams telescope feeds, and the Virtual Telescope Project.

One nifty phenomenon to watch out for is the “black-drop effect,” which happens when the planet is about to enter or leave the solar disk. If you happen to see it—the effect is easier to spot with Venus—Mercury will temporarily look as though it’s anchored to the edge of the sun, forming a tear-drop shape. “[M]odern research has suggested that it is due to a combination of two key effects,” according to the European Space Agency. “One is the image blurring that takes place when a telescope is used (described technically as ‘the point spread function’). The other is the way that the brightness of the Sun diminishes close to its visible ‘edge’ (known to astronomers as ‘limb darkening’).”

Stay safe and happy skywatching.

#News