The Total Eclipse of the Sun
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,130
Likes: 126
From: Canton, MA
Fun facts
The experience of the total eclipse that we view on earth is a happy coincidence in that the perceived diameter of the moon is equal to the perceived diameter of the sun while standing on earth. This is due to the actual diameter of each body and their distance from the earth. If either body was bigger (or smaller) then we would not experience the total eclipse whereby the moon exactly covers all of the sun, thereby exposing its corona and other atmospheric phenomena to view on earth. Also, if either was closer or further away from the earth, thus changing the perceived diameter, you also would not have the "total eclipse" effect.
Sadly, the distance of the moon from the earth increases every year by a whopping 1.5 inches as it spirals slowly away from the planet. Thus, the day will come that the inhabitants of earth (whatever they may be in the future) will not be able to enjoy the total eclipse as we know it.
The experience of the total eclipse that we view on earth is a happy coincidence in that the perceived diameter of the moon is equal to the perceived diameter of the sun while standing on earth. This is due to the actual diameter of each body and their distance from the earth. If either body was bigger (or smaller) then we would not experience the total eclipse whereby the moon exactly covers all of the sun, thereby exposing its corona and other atmospheric phenomena to view on earth. Also, if either was closer or further away from the earth, thus changing the perceived diameter, you also would not have the "total eclipse" effect.
Sadly, the distance of the moon from the earth increases every year by a whopping 1.5 inches as it spirals slowly away from the planet. Thus, the day will come that the inhabitants of earth (whatever they may be in the future) will not be able to enjoy the total eclipse as we know it.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,684
Likes: 1,156
From: Lewes, DE
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,703
Likes: 8,220
From: Mish-she-gan
We might be doing that. Wife stopped at Krogers today and the last one was sold just before she got there. I may have to go kicking and screaming to Walmart. I thought it was only going to be a 2.5 minute event but in reality it will drag on for almost 3 hours for us. I guess it's not a turbo charged pass.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,370
Likes: 1,615
From: La Crescenta, CA
We're off to Salem, OR in the morning to see and shoot the eclipse. One night in Woodland (north of Sacramento), two nights in Crater Lake, three nights in Salem, two nights on the Oregon coast, one night in Redding, and a night at Harris Ranch. Wish us good weather on Monday. 
