Hey Look At The Sun
Photo by betelgeux
Are you ready for this? I found out recently in the news that a total solar eclipse will take place tomorrow, August 1 and seen mostly in remote places like the northeastern side of Canada, the tip of Greenland, parts of Russia, China and Mongolia.
I’m sure the first question that comes to mind is, “will it be visible in the Philippines?” Well, Yanka asked the same question to the community a few months ago and Yaybob gave the best answer: at most it will be partially seen, maybe not at all. The sources cited are http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OHfigures/OH2008-Fig03.pdf and http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008iau/TSE2008-fig08.GIF (just check the links and see for yourself).
If you’re wondering what conditions must exist for a solar eclipse to occur, Kristina L had the same question posted to the community and alexis gave a very clear answer: the moon should be between the sun and the earth in the same plane as the earth, and for a total eclipse of the sun to occur, the umbra (darkest part of the shadow) of the moon should fall on the earth. On the other hand, elie101_forever asked how often does a solar eclipse occurs. Curiosity answered her saying a total eclipse of the sun is only visible from any given spot on earth every 360 years.
The most asked questions about solar eclipses actually dwell on its effect on our eyes. I know I entitled this “Hey look at the sun” but not without protection! Cletus2tall asked if it’s true that our brains get fried if we stare at a solar eclipse and Renaissance Kid clarified that the danger is in looking directly at the sun and that it won’t fry our brains, just our retinas. QuestionMan asked why it’s dangerous to watch a solar eclipse and Krynne explained comprehensively how solar radiation can damage our eyes. Fernando M asked if we can go blind by watching a solar eclipse and Crystal told him that yes we can, blindness and permanent damage as well.
In case you’re wondering, woden_ahllevhinne asked when was the last time a solar eclipse occurred in our country and Anne Marie shared that it was June 11, 2002, a sunrise eclipse in fact. If you’re asking when will be the next, 301kodak asked that and again Anne Marie answered, the next partial eclipse of the sun in the Philippines will take place on January 29, 2009 while the next total solar eclipse will be 34 years later, on April 20, 2042.
Don’t’ feel bad if the eclipse won’t be visible in the Philippines because technology now can enable us to see it. How? NASA is making it viewable online! Make sure you check this website (http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008.html) on the day of the eclipse and share to the community what you think of this rare natural phenomenon.
