4.7 Eclipses of the sun and moon  (Page 5/32)

Key concepts and summary

The Sun and Moon have nearly the same angular size (about 1/2°). A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, casting its shadow on a part of Earth’s surface. If the eclipse is total, the light from the bright disk of the Sun is completely blocked, and the solar atmosphere (the corona) comes into view. Solar eclipses take place rarely in any one location, but they are among the most spectacular sights in nature. A lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow; it is visible (weather permitting) from the entire night hemisphere of Earth.

For further exploration

Articles

Bakich, M. “Your Twenty-Year Solar Eclipse Planner.” Astronomy (October 2008): 74. Describes the circumstances of upcoming total eclipses of the Sun.

Coco, M. “Not Just Another Pretty Phase.” Astronomy (July 1994): 76. Moon phases explained.

Espenak, F.,&Anderson, J. “Get Ready for America’s Coast to Coast Experience.” Sky&Telescope (February 2016): 22.

Gingerich, O. “Notes on the Gregorian Calendar Reform.” Sky&Telescope (December 1982): 530.

Kluepfel, C. “How Accurate Is the Gregorian Calendar?” Sky&Telescope (November 1982): 417.

Krupp, E. “Calendar Worlds.” Sky&Telescope (January 2001): 103. On how the days of the week got their names.

Krupp, E. “Behind the Curve.” Sky&Telescope (September 2002): 68. On the reform of the calendar by Pope Gregory XIII.

MacRobert, A.,&Sinnott, R. “Young Moon Hunting.” Sky&Telescope (February 2005): 75. Hints for finding the Moon as soon after its new phase as possible.

Pasachoff, J. “Solar Eclipse Science: Still Going Strong.” Sky&Telescope (February 2001): 40. On what we have learned and are still learning from eclipses.

Regas, D. “The Quest for Totality.” Sky&Telescope (July 2012): 36. On eclipse chasing as a hobby.

Schaefer, B. “Lunar Eclipses That Changed the World.” Sky&Telescope (December 1992): 639.

Schaefer, B. “Solar Eclipses That Changed the World.” Sky&Telescope (May 1994): 36.

Websites

Ancient Observatories, Timeless Knowledge (Stanford Solar Center): http://solar-center.stanford.edu/AO/. An introduction to ancient sites where the movements of celestial objects were tracked over the years (with a special focus on tracking the Sun).

Astronomical Data Services: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/index.php. This rich site from the U.S. Naval Observatory has information about Earth, the Moon, and the sky, with tables and online calculators.

Calendars through the Ages: http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/index.html. Like a good museum exhibit on the Web.

Calendar Zone: http://www.calendarzone.com/. Everything you wanted to ask or know about calendars and timekeeping, with links from around the world.

Eclipse 2017 Information and Safe Viewing Instructions: http://www.nsta.org/publications/press/extras/files/solarscience/SolarScienceInsert.pdf.

Eclipse Maps: http://www.eclipse-maps.com/Eclipse-Maps/Welcome.html. Michael Zeiler specializes in presenting helpful and interactive maps of where solar eclipses will be visible