Total Eclipse of the SunTotal Eclipse of the Sun2008 August 01 2008 August 01
Fred EspenakFred Espenak
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
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Solar Eclipse Geometry 4Solar Eclipse Geometry 4
To Sun
To Sun
Earth
NewMoon
Earth and Moon: Solar Eclipse Path
Penumbra
Umbra
Path of Totality
Moon
During a total solar eclipse the Moon’s two shadows sweep across Earth.
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Partial Phases of a Partial Phases of a Total Solar EclipseTotal Solar Eclipse
Every total eclipse begins with a series of partial phases which may last an hour or more. However, the total phase or “totality” never lasts more than 7.5 minutes.
This time series photo shows an entire total solar eclipse, from start to finish over a period of over two hours.
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Eclipse ShadowsEclipse Shadows
Astronomy Picture of the Day - August 13, 1999
Credit: E.
Israel
When sunlight passes through gaps between leaves of a tree, When sunlight passes through gaps between leaves of a tree, the shadows on the ground show little images of the eclipse the shadows on the ground show little images of the eclipse happening in the sky above. This is the same principle as the happening in the sky above. This is the same principle as the pinhole camera.pinhole camera.
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Eerie Twilight During a Total Solar EclipseEerie Twilight During a Total Solar Eclipse
During “totality” the landscape is bathed in an eerie twilight. During “totality” the landscape is bathed in an eerie twilight. Bright stars and planets are visible.Bright stars and planets are visible.
Astronomy Picture of the Day - 2003 January 08
Credit: Olivier
Staiger
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““Diamond Ring” Effect Before Totality BeginsDiamond Ring” Effect Before Totality Begins
In the last seconds before totality begins, the remaining bit of In the last seconds before totality begins, the remaining bit of Sun resembles a dazzling jewel as the ring-like corona appears.Sun resembles a dazzling jewel as the ring-like corona appears.
Astronomy Picture of the Day - June 21, 2001
Credit: Fred Espenak
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Glorious Solar CoronaGlorious Solar Corona
The sun’s glorious corona is composed of hot, rarified plasma with a The sun’s glorious corona is composed of hot, rarified plasma with a temperature of 1 to 2 million degrees Centigrade. It is only visible temperature of 1 to 2 million degrees Centigrade. It is only visible during a total eclipse when the Moon hides the Sun’s brilliant disk.during a total eclipse when the Moon hides the Sun’s brilliant disk.
Astronomy Picture of the Day - Sept. 15, 1999
Credit: Fred
Espenak
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Partial Solar EclipsePartial Solar Eclipse
Partial eclipses are visible over a much larger part of Earth than total eclipses. Partial eclipses are visible over a much larger part of Earth than total eclipses. So they are seen by many more people.So they are seen by many more people.
Partial Eclipse of Oct. 14, 2004 (Hawaii)
Credit: Fred
Espenak
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Annular Solar Eclipse
Annular Solar Eclipse of May 10, 1994 (Toledo, Ohio)
The solar corona is NOT visible during an annular eclipse. The solar corona is NOT visible during an annular eclipse. The remaining ring of sunlight hides the corona in its glare.The remaining ring of sunlight hides the corona in its glare.
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Frequency of Solar Eclipse TypesFrequency of Solar Eclipse Types
PartialPartial 35%35%AnnularAnnular 33%33%TotalTotal 27%27%HybridHybrid 5% 5%
Eclipses per Year: 2 to 7Eclipses per Year: 2 to 7
Totals per Year: 0, 1 or 2Totals per Year: 0, 1 or 2
Fred Espenak, NASA’s GSFC
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Total Solar Eclipse of August 01, 2008Total Solar Eclipse of August 01, 20081111
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01
CanadaCanada
GreenlandGreenland
RussiaRussia
MongoliaMongolia
ChinaChina
1212
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01
NunavutNunavut
1313
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01 1414
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 011515
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 011616
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 011717
Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 01Total Solar Eclipse – 2008 Aug 011818
TitleTitle 1919
TitleTitle 2020
TitleTitle 2121
TitleTitle 2222
NASA Solar Eclipse BulletinsNASA Solar Eclipse Bulletins
Bulletin Prepared for Major Solar Bulletin Prepared for Major Solar EclipsesEclipses
– All Total & Some AnnularAll Total & Some Annular– IAU Working Group For EclipsesIAU Working Group For Eclipses
Published 12-24 months before eclipsePublished 12-24 months before eclipse Hard Copy Available Hard Copy Available
Contact: Contact: [email protected]@nasa.gov Electronic Version on WebElectronic Version on Web
eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEpubs/bulletin.htmleclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEpubs/bulletin.html
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