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Upcoming Solar Eclipse
- Thread starter stubeeef
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Cool, thanks for the link. I try to keep up with celestial events at Heavens Above . Ever watche the space station fly over?
What I would like to see, rather than a picture of the moon obscuring the sun, it a picture of the Earth taken from space during the eclipse. If the shadow of the moon it visible from space, I think that would be wicked awesome!
John Paul II was born during an eclipse, and now lies close to death as another eclipse approaches - it would indeed be an eerie coincidence if he passed the day it occurs...
iSaint said:
Just registered at heavens-above. That's a pretty cool site, thanks. I enjoy that kind of stuff. Looks like there won't be a visible pass of the ISS over my location for a week or so though.
I can't remember how long ago it's been since I've seen a solar eclipse. I can remember seeing a few lunar eclipses over the past few years, but solar eclipses are a little rarer.
Astronomy software (free)
Solar System Simulator. You can set the date/time and viewing point to simulate this upcoming solar event.
Celestia allows you to explore the universe in 3D motion.
For Unix-literate astro-geeks, I recommend:
XEphem
Use Predict to track satellites (and any other orbiting object that has available Keplerian data, including the ISS) and predict their visible passes for your location.
Solar System Simulator. You can set the date/time and viewing point to simulate this upcoming solar event.
Celestia allows you to explore the universe in 3D motion.
For Unix-literate astro-geeks, I recommend:
XEphem
Use Predict to track satellites (and any other orbiting object that has available Keplerian data, including the ISS) and predict their visible passes for your location.
Apple Hobo said:Solar System Simulator. You can set the date/time and viewing point to simulate this upcoming solar event.
Celestia allows you to explore the universe in 3D motion.
Thank you for the link. The pictures at the site are awesome. Helps to put everything into perspective. There is nothing quite like seeing it on a Mac.
I've used it for over a year to know when Iridium flares will occur over my area. I've been known to drive to another part of town and stand in the middle of a street or park watching for one from the right spot. And I haven't been arrested, mugged, or sent to the psychiatric ward yet!iSaint said:
Doctor Q said:
If I ever go out in the country people always stop to see if I am in trouble or something. Of course their lights throw my eyesight for awhile. People really think I'm nuts when I look up at birds all the time.
stoid said:
I found a picture a few days back; here you go:
(animated)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0212/eclipse_eumetsat_big.gif
there are better pics of that out there, I just didn't want to post huge pictures.
I love Astronomy, Cosmology, Quantum physics/mechanics, etc
jayscheuerle
macrumors 68020
by the way, the eclipse will be under a minute in duration, and only the southern areas of the US should be able to see it. I didn't want anyone to get their knickers in a bunch if there was nothing climactic.
here is an estimated timetable of WHEN the eclipse should be visible in the US (ignore the dumb commentary written within, I just found the animation useful)
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/01apr_solareclipse.htm
here is an estimated timetable of WHEN the eclipse should be visible in the US (ignore the dumb commentary written within, I just found the animation useful)
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/01apr_solareclipse.htm
iBlue said:
That was actually very cool and I liked the animation showing how much of the moon actually covers the sun. But I also noticed that even in Indianapolis (which is south of here) you could hardly see the moon touch the sun, so I guess I'll miss out on this one.
D