Total Solar Eclipses and How to Observe Them

Every total solar eclipse sees cruise ships or coach convoys, and frequently both, conveying to thousands of observers the narrow umbral track, where they can witness this rare and beautiful astronomical event, weather permitting.

But for each total solar eclipse you get just a few minutes (or seconds) to make the most of the spectacle, savor it visually, and record the event.

You have to get it right first time, which is where Total Solar Eclipses and How to Observe Them comes in. Here is all the information an eclipse chaser needs to ensure a trouble-free expedition. Martin Mobberley explains how to avoid equipment and set-up errors thousands of miles from home, advises on the right equipment to buy for observing and digital SLR imaging, and explains the crucial points to address when traveling abroad with astronomical equipment.

The first part of the book contains a wealth of information about total solar eclipses themselves: how and why they happen, related physics of the Sun, the alignment geometries, and, of course, the astronomical features that can only be witnessed when our Moon precisely covers the solar disk.

Auteur

Martin Mobberley has a BSc Honours degree in Electronic Engineering from Brunel University, and is a former British Astronomical Association President and Goodacre Medallist.

He is also the author of Astronomical Equipment for Amateurs (1998) and The New Amateur Astronomer (2004); Lunar & Planetary Webcam User's Guide (NYP); Supernovae and How to Observe them (NYP),. He has contributed chapters to three other Springer Practical Astronomy Series Books. He wrote the children's book Space Navigator, and has published many papers in Astronomy Now, The Journal of the British Astronomical Association, The Astronomer, and Sky & Telescope.

Texte du rabat

Every total solar eclipse sees cruise ships or coach convoys, and frequently both, conveying to thousands of observers the narrow umbral track, where they can witness this rare and beautiful astronomical event, weather permitting.

But for each total solar eclipse you get just a few minutes (or seconds) to make the most of the spectacle, savor it visually, and record the event.

You have to get it right first time, which is where Total Solar Eclipses and How to Observe Them comes in. Here is all the information an eclipse chaser needs to ensure a trouble-free expedition. Martin Mobberley explains how to avoid equipment and set-up errors thousands of miles from home, advises on the right equipment to buy for observing and digital SLR imaging, and explains the crucial points to address when traveling abroad with astronomical equipment.

The first part of the book contains a wealth of information about total solar eclipses themselves: how and why they happen, related physics of the Sun, the alignment geometries, and, of course, the astronomical features that can only be witnessed when our Moon precisely covers the solar disk.

Résumé
To children the world is full of magical events, and the line between make-believe and reality is (happily) distinctly blurred. However, as we all age and have to be realistic, earn money, become serious and responsible adults (yawn!) and accept that life is short and no one is immortal, those magical events fade and die. We accept that the worlds of make-believe are simply a product of the vivid imagi- tions of great story tellers, and that we are all very similar human beings; just sl- ging away at the tedious day job, and hoping for a win on the lottery. However, there are still a few events which are truly magical and, for me, total solar eclipses (TSEs) are about as magical an event as you can ever experience. Our Earth and Sun are, by a ludicrously lucky coincidence (or, some would argue, by a cosmic architect) almost the same apparent size in the sky. Thus, seventy times a century, the Moon's shadow passes over a narrow band on the Earth's surface and, for those on the track, with clear skies, a truly awe-inspiring sight can be seen. But be warned, eclipse chasing is an addictive drug. Once you have seen tot- ity, you will crave more of the same. The sight of an eclipsed Sun is the stuff of science ?ction, but, for the cost of a plane ?ight or an organized holiday, it can be yours, albeit for a few ?eeting minutes.

Contenu
Eclipse Mechanisms, Statistics and Tracks.- Why Do Eclipses Occur?.- The Solar Atmosphere.- The Shadow of the Moon.- The Rugged Lunar Limb.- Shadow Bands and Other Phenomena.- Eclipses and Tracks 20082028.- Observing and Travelling to Total Solar Eclipses.- Safety First.- Eclipse Trips The Real Experience.- Checklists and Travel Plans.- Video, Sketch and Savour the View!.- DSLRs and Digital Eclipse Photography.- Some Very Keen Eclipse Chasers.- The H-Alpha Revolution.