by Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard
On July 22nd 2009 the longest lasting total solar eclipse on the Earth in the 21st century will occur. Astronomer Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard and The Norwegian Astronomical Society will lead an expedition to China to experience this marvellous phenomenon of nature.
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The longest lasting total solar eclipse will occur on
July 22nd 2009.
Photo: Bo N. Andersen |
A total solar eclipse is one of the most impressing of all
phenomenons of nature. When the Moon covers the solar disk
the daylight disappears and the clearest stars and planets
will appear. Around the Sun the impressive corona will shine.
On a given location on Earth it can easily pass 300-400
years between each time the Sun becomes completely covered
by the Moon. That often makes it necessary to travel to
experience the phenomenon a total solar eclipse is. It's not
only dark, but the temperature decreases rapidly, the birds
stop singing, insects become quiet and all our senses tell
us that something extraordinary is happening.
The last total solar eclipse on Norwegian ground occurred on
June 30th 1954. On August 1st 2008 there will be a total
eclipse on Kvitøya near Svalbard, but except for that
eclipse we'll have to wait 100 years for the next time the
Sun will be completely obscured on the main land.
The eclipse crossing the Pacific Ocean and China on July
22nd 2009 will be the longest lasting total solar eclipse on
the Earth in the 21st century and can therefore rightfully
be considered one of the most impressing phenomenons in the
sky in our century!
We will make a program which as certain as possible will
enable us to avoid clouds and experience the outstanding
phenomenon in as great a manner as possible.
Here you can read about the expedition to China and sign up for the
solar eclipse experience of the century!
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The path of the totality zone through the Pacific Ocean and China.
Illustration: Fred Espanak, NASA |
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The path of the totality zone through China.
Illustration: Fred Espanak, NASA |
THE REASON OF THE ECLIPSES
The Moon orbits around the Earth in 29,5 days and will with equally
spaced intervals (every new moon) pass near the Sun in the sky. But
the Moon's orbit is tilted 5 degrees compared to that of the Earth
around the Sun. The Moon will therefore usually pass either below or
above the Sun and there will be no eclipse. Only when the Moon is near
an intersection between the orbital planes can a solar eclipse or
lunar eclipse (at full moon) occur
By a fluke of nature the Sun's distance from the Earth is 390 times as
great as the Moon's distance from the Earth, while the Sun is 400
times as large as the Moon. Because of this the Moon and the Sun
appear to be of approximately the same size as seen from the
Earth. The orbit of the Moon is, however, elliptical. So if the Moon
is far away the angular size will appear smaller than the Sun's, and
an annular eclipse may occur. The Moon is then surrounded by a ring of
light which never will diminish. If the Moon is close to the Earth the
whole shadow will extend to the ground and a total solar eclipse will
occur.
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HOW TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE
Never look at the Sun without protecting your eyes. Here
you will learn how to safely follow the progress of the
eclipse. The description applies to the solar eclipse in
2003, but is just as valid in 2009!
Read more.
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HOW DO ECLIPSES OCCUR?
How do eclipses occur and why are they so rare? Here's the
answer. (Note that the description applies for the eclipse in 2003).
read more.
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ORDER SOALR ECLIPSE GLASSES AND SOLAR BINOCULARS
To observe solar eclipses, the Sun and its largest sunspots in a safe
manner having solar eclipse glasses is very convenient. Both these
glasses and the special solar telescopes (sunspotters) can be ordered
here. With a sunspotter several people can watch the Sun at the same
time. That makes them perfect for one or several people; families,
larger groups and school classes.
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ANIMATIONS OF THE ECLIPSE IN OCTOBER 2005:
Avi-animation of the eclipse seen from the eastern part of
Norway. Animation: Carsten Arnholm, 1 MB, DiVX codec required.
Avi- animation of the eclipse seen from Alicante,
Spain. Animation: Carsten Arnholm, 1 MB, DiVX codec required.
LINKS:
NASA's main page on this eclipse
Articles about eclipses
Important astronomical happenings
PRESS CONTAKT:
Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard
Astronomer
Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics
Pb. 1029 Blindern
0315 Oslo
Phone: 22 85 75 22 (Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, UiO)
992 77 172 (Cell)
E-mail: knutjo@astro.uio.no
