Sunset Solar Eclipse
 
Oct 17, 2014: Sunsets are always pretty.  One sunset this month could be
out of this world. On Thursday, Oct. 23rd, the setting sun across eastern
parts of the USA will be red, beautiful and . crescent-shaped.
 
"It's a partial solar eclipse," explains longtime NASA eclipse
expert Fred Espenak.  In other words, the New Moon is going to 'take a
bite' out of the sun.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rcf_QNaXK0&feature=youtu.be
 
A new ScienceCast video previews the partial solar eclipse of Oct. 23rd. Play it
 
A total eclipse is when the Moon passes directly in front of the sun,
completely hiding the solar disk and allowing the sun's ghostly corona to
spring into view. A partial eclipse is when the Moon passes in front of the
sun, off-center, with a fraction of the bright disk remaining uncovered.
 
The partial eclipse of Oct. 23rd will be visible from all of the United
States except Hawaii and New England.  Coverage ranges from 12% in Florida
to nearly 70% in Alaska.  Weather permitting, almost everyone in North
America will be able to see the crescent.
 
The eclipse will be especially beautiful in eastern parts of the USA, where
the Moon and sun line up at the end of the day, transforming the usual
sunset into something weird and wonderful.
 
"Observers in the Central Time zone have the best view because the
eclipse is in its maximum phase at sunset," says Espenak. "They
will see a fiery crescent sinking below the horizon, dimmed to human
visibility by low-hanging clouds and mist".
 
Warning: Don't stare. Even at maximum eclipse, a sliver of sun peeking out
from behind the Moon can still cause pain and eye damage. Direct viewing
should only be attempted with the aid of a safe solar filter.
 
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2014-Fig04.pdf
 
Click to view a visibility map of the Oct 23rd partial solar eclipse. 
During the eclipse, don't forget to look at the ground. Beneath a leafy
tree, you might be surprised to find hundreds of crescent-shaped sunbeams
dappling the grass. Overlapping leaves create a myriad of natural little
pinhole cameras, each one casting an image of the crescent-sun onto the
ground beneath the canopy. When the eclipsed sun approaches the horizon,
look for the same images cast on walls or fences behind the trees.
 
Here's another trick: Criss-cross your fingers waffle-style and let the sun
shine through the matrix of holes. You can cast crescent suns on sidewalks,
driveways, friends, cats and dogs-you name it. Unlike a total eclipse,
which lasts no more than a few minutes while the sun and Moon are perfectly
aligned, the partial eclipse will goes on for more than an hour, plenty of
time for this kind of shadow play.
 
A partial eclipse may not be total, but it is totally fun.
 
See for yourself on Oct. 23rd.  The action begins at approximately 6 pm on
the east coast, and 2 pm on the west coast.  Check NASA's Eclipse Home Page
for viewing times near your hometown.
 
Credits:
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit:
Science{at}NASA
 
 
Regards,
 
Roger

--- D'Bridge 3.99