Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                              2020 December 18

                             Diamond in the Sky
     Image Credit & Copyright: Mariano Ribas (Planetario de la Ciudad de
                                Buenos Aires)

   Explanation: When the shadow of the Moon raced across planet Earth's
   southern hemisphere on December 14, sky watchers along the shadow's
   dark central path were treated to the only total solar eclipse of 2020.
   During the New Moon's shadow play this glistening diamond ring was seen
   for a moment, even in cloudy skies. Known as the diamond ring effect,
   the transient spectacle actually happens twice. Just before and
   immediately after totality, a thin sliver of solar disk visible behind
   the Moon's edge creates the appearance of a shiny jewel set in a dark
   ring. This dramatic snapshot from the path of totality in northern
   Patagonia, Argentina captures this eclipse's second diamond ring, along
   with striking solar prominences lofted beyond the edge of the Moon's
   silhoutte.

                        Tomorrow's picture: returner
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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