OK so I don't know if eclipsic is a word but what I do know is that I'm referring to the longest duration of a total solar eclipse in the 21st century, which is set to occur tomorrow, in central and northeastern India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, and the Ryukyu Islands. A partial solar eclipse is set to occur in Southeast Asia, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Central Pacific Ocean area and its islands. An eclipse of any sort won't be happening here in America though :-(
It's been almost a year sense the last total solar eclipse which captured in Nunavut, northern Greenland, central Russia, western Mongolia, and western China on August 1, 2008. The most recent solar eclipse was an annular eclipse early this year, on January 26, 2009. That eclipse was seen in southeast Sumatra, Jakarta and Borneo. So what actually is the cause of a solar eclipse? Well a solar eclipse is the result of when a new moon passes between the sun and the Earth. By doing this the sun appears to be totally or partially covered, which is amazing considering the size difference of the two masses. In earlier times when solar eclipses were not as well known, the event could be seen as very ominous and scary. For a few seconds to a few moments, the sun is literately blocked out during a total eclipse and the sky is dark. For 6 minutes and 39 seconds the area in the path of the total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009 will be dark. The next time for a duration near the time of this historic event, won't be until June 13, 2132.
Eclipses are a truly remarkable natural phenomenon and are one of the many displays of nature's beauty and magnificence. Though most of these events, when they do actually occur, are not contiguous across the globe, when they do happen, it is best to view it firsthand. The last time I remember seeing a solar eclipse in America (and I'm 22) is on Christmas Day in 2000. I remember my father purchasing special "Solar eclipse Christmas 2000" glasses, so that our eyes would be shielded from the sun's rays. It was a special time that I got to share with my family that day and even more special because of the rarity of such an event. I'm happy I got to view the eclipse and although it was partial, the next predicted date for a solar eclipse occurring on Christmas Day isn't until 2307!
Fear not, that year is only for a predicted solar eclipse occurring on Christmas Day. Many solar eclipses will happen before that year, with a estimated 224 solar eclipses estimated for 2001 to 2100 AD. Though many will not be visible for the United States, mark this down on your calendar...the next time a solar eclipse will be visible for the US is May 20, 2012. It won't be a total eclipse but an annular eclipse (this is when the new moon is completely aligned with the sun and covers the center of the sun). The next time for a total eclipse won't be until July 11, 2010 and that will be visible southern Chile and Argentina and southeastern Polynesia. I might book a flight to Polynesia to see that one...
It's been almost a year sense the last total solar eclipse which captured in Nunavut, northern Greenland, central Russia, western Mongolia, and western China on August 1, 2008. The most recent solar eclipse was an annular eclipse early this year, on January 26, 2009. That eclipse was seen in southeast Sumatra, Jakarta and Borneo. So what actually is the cause of a solar eclipse? Well a solar eclipse is the result of when a new moon passes between the sun and the Earth. By doing this the sun appears to be totally or partially covered, which is amazing considering the size difference of the two masses. In earlier times when solar eclipses were not as well known, the event could be seen as very ominous and scary. For a few seconds to a few moments, the sun is literately blocked out during a total eclipse and the sky is dark. For 6 minutes and 39 seconds the area in the path of the total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009 will be dark. The next time for a duration near the time of this historic event, won't be until June 13, 2132.
Eclipses are a truly remarkable natural phenomenon and are one of the many displays of nature's beauty and magnificence. Though most of these events, when they do actually occur, are not contiguous across the globe, when they do happen, it is best to view it firsthand. The last time I remember seeing a solar eclipse in America (and I'm 22) is on Christmas Day in 2000. I remember my father purchasing special "Solar eclipse Christmas 2000" glasses, so that our eyes would be shielded from the sun's rays. It was a special time that I got to share with my family that day and even more special because of the rarity of such an event. I'm happy I got to view the eclipse and although it was partial, the next predicted date for a solar eclipse occurring on Christmas Day isn't until 2307!
Fear not, that year is only for a predicted solar eclipse occurring on Christmas Day. Many solar eclipses will happen before that year, with a estimated 224 solar eclipses estimated for 2001 to 2100 AD. Though many will not be visible for the United States, mark this down on your calendar...the next time a solar eclipse will be visible for the US is May 20, 2012. It won't be a total eclipse but an annular eclipse (this is when the new moon is completely aligned with the sun and covers the center of the sun). The next time for a total eclipse won't be until July 11, 2010 and that will be visible southern Chile and Argentina and southeastern Polynesia. I might book a flight to Polynesia to see that one...
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