SPACE: eclipses

 Eclipses:

    The total eclipse of the Sun is a spectacular event. In a few minutes, the day gives way to the night: the sky darkens, the stars and planets appear, the lights of the city light up and the birds shut up. This phenomenon is one of the most spectacular that nature gives us to see. The eclipse occurs when the light of the Sun or the Moon is occulted for a period of time. The eclipses of the Moon arrive rather frantically. On other planets, eclipses also exist, for example when Jupiter’s satellites enter the shadow of the planet. These phenomena can only be observed with a telescope. When looking at an eclipse of the Sun, it is essential to remember that we must never stare at the Sun without protecting its eyes.

Solar eclipse:

    During a solar eclipse, the Moon is placed between the Earth and the Sun; in a few minutes, it disappears while the shadow of the Moon quickly crosses the surface of the Earth. Anyone inside that shadow zone sees a total eclipse. Outside this zone, there is a partial eclipse.

Total darkness!

    During a solar eclipse, total darkness is called the phase during which the Moon completely hides the Sun. It can last a little more than 8 minutes. During this phase, the thin atmosphere of the Sun ( the corona ) takes on the appearance of a pearly luminous halo radiating around an obscure circle.

Diamond ring!

    Just before the total eclipse, the last ray of the Sun passes through the valleys of the Moon. At that moment, a luminous point appears on the edge of the Moon, producing for a few seconds a stunning vision called a diamond ring. The image on the right shows glowing gas flames from the surface of the Sun.

Trough Moon's shadow:

    Every year there are at least two eclipses of the Sun. But most of them are partial, that is to say that the Moon masks only a part of the Sun. A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere in the world about every 18 months, often over the oceans. Although the shadow of the Moon covers the Earth for thousands of kilometres, the width of the beam thus projected is often less than 100 km. A total eclipse of the Moon occurs at the same place every 330 years.

The eclipse of the Moon:

    Sometimes the moon passes through the shadow of the earth. This occurs when the Moon is full, but not systemically, because the Moon’s orbit is tilted and thus often avoids the shadow of the Earth.

The dark side!

    During a lunar eclipse, it takes up to 4 hours for the shadow of the Earth to cross the face of the Moon. The total eclipse can last more than an hour. The Earth’s atmosphere reflects a little light on the Moon and gives it a red tint. There may be three lunar eclipses in one year and none the following year.

The lunar eclipse was captured through the cloudy cover preceding Sunday’s storm. (Photo courtesy PhilippeMoussette.com)