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| The Apollo 12 crew took this picture of a solar eclipse during their return home. |
It’s not every day we have an eclipse. A total solar eclipse
August 21, 2017, highlighted part of the day for residents in states like
Oregon, Idaho, and South Carolina. Even the partial eclipse was visible to
everyone in North America! People in certain parts of Africa, Europe, and South
America also were treated to its spectacular view.
Eclipse parties, picnics, and campouts created a variety of
excitement. Roadways and highways resembled the chaotic traffic normally associated
with professional games, big-name concerts, and the first idyllic beach day of
the season.
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| 1846 lunar eclipse |
NASA is always a good site to visit for space information
and guidelines. If you or the kids missed the action, visit this page for an
update.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), operated by NASA, was launched in 2010. It records events including picture dialogues during its annual
two short eclipse seasons, about three weeks each. Its view of the sun is
blocked by Earth at different times during the day. SDO’s orbit, however, reduces most interference.
Some sunlight leaks through Earth’s atmosphere when it
blocks the sun, making a fuzzy shadow of the planet’s boundaries. The moon
lacks an atmosphere, so its curved shape is clean and clear when its eclipse of
the sun is seen from SDO.
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| Earth and Lunar eclipses from SDO |
On March 11, 2013, Earth eclipsed the sun approximately 1.5
hours. Shortly afterwards, a partial eclipse was created as the moon moved in front
of the sun for just over an hour. Two separate objects blocking the sun’s light
in such a close amount of time is an amazing experience!
Oct 23, 2014
solar eclipse as seen from Minneapolis, MN (attributed to Tomruen).
Here's
Saturn eclipsing the sun. The spacecraft Cassini got the shot September15,
2006. The various rings of Saturn are quite intriguing.
In our part
of Nevada, we had a partial eclipse and an amazing reduction of natural
sunlight. It was fun to stand in the shade of the tall fruitless mulberry tree
and peer through the leaves wearing my “eclipse gazers”. How did you and your
family observe this wonder of nature?
We watched the eclipse today. We weren't in the path of totality, but it was still really amazing. I have to go check out those other images.
ReplyDeleteIt's just so nice to experience an event like this.
DeleteI watched it on TV and saw some really great views. I didn't have glasses so I was not going to look outside. I still have a little fear of it even with special glasses. It is a great event to be a part of.
ReplyDeleteWise choice to be careful with the eyes. The computer and tv coverage delivered great coverage.
DeleteWe were out there with our solar glasses watching it earlier today. Definitely cool to see!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see it. Some areas around us had smoke, but we had a clear view today.
DeleteWe stepped outside at the last minute and tried to get some photos and video. We didn't look at it with our own eyes though! No glasses!
ReplyDeleteIt looked like it was about to rain. I had no idea it was the eclipse.
ReplyDeleteWe were not sure if we were going to be able to see the eclipse today or not. I forgot to buy glasses. Fortunately, my sister had a pair and we hung out with her to see it. What a once in a lifetime opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThere sure did seem to be a lot more commotion today then years ago. I looked outside and we had cloud cover so nothing big here.
ReplyDeleteI usually prepare glasses for me and the kids so we can watch it. They're always so amazed with these and it's nice to see them enjoying themselves. It's really fascinating, I can't blame them. Thanks for all of these facts!
ReplyDeletePeople are more hyped up about the eclipse these days, probably because social media is involved but I appreciate it more too. I enjoyed reading this post!
ReplyDeleteI remember watching my first eclipse, I was in school and it was amazing! It's really exciting to witness live.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who got to go to the umbra, and it was glorious. NASA has some really amazing pictures.
ReplyDeleteFacebook was so full of posts and pictures that I didn't need to go anywhere to see it ;) All I know is that energy like that affects me and the weather outside here was really strange.
ReplyDeleteThe students in my class couldn't focus. It was something they all just wanted to be a part of... I finally put it on my big screen and ran the live feed, and gave up trying to do the actual lesson plan. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to be able to see the eclipse but here in MA we could not really see anything.
ReplyDelete