6 replies to this topic

[Steve OK]

I layered an image of the Sun taken before the eclipse started over an image of the first Diamond Ring, to see just how much the Moon was covering the Sun. 

Both with the same lens and camera of course. Those prominences on the right were pretty tall, as was revealed just before the 2nd Diamond Ring, when they

were easily visible to the naked eye.  The large, bright prominence at the south end of the Sun that was also easy to see at the end of totality is still completely covered. 

 

click for a larger view, if you want:

Steve

Edited by Steve OK, 05 May 2024 - 05:40 PM.

[ericjaakkola]

I think it's pretty cool.

[Rickycardo]

I really like this different viewpoint. I'm going to try this with my set of images too.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[kasprowy]

The fact that we are alive during the time when the Moon is just at the distance, give or take a tiny bit depending upon the orbit, to equal the Sun in angular size, is one of life's great coincidences.

[jdj]

Very interesting perspective indeed!  I did not realize the Moon's disk was that much larger than the Sun's.

[foxwoodastronomy]

The fact that we are alive during the time when the Moon is just at the distance, give or take a tiny bit depending upon the orbit, to equal the Sun in angular size, is one of life's great coincidences.

You are correct!  Here is a slide from one of my eclipse talks where I discuss the details of this.

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[Alan D. Whitman]

So in about 650 million years we will no longer have total solar eclipses!

Not exactly true. The big eclipse-chasing companies will offer total solar eclipses from orbit at the right distance around the Moon, a totality several times every day for the duration of your vacation! Big windows for those who can afford them, shared portholes for the likes of me.

 

But some nostalgic types will bemoan the 'good old days' when beating iffy weather was part of the thrill of eclipse-chasing, back when it was done on the cloudy Earth...

Edited by Alan D. Whitman, 13 May 2024 - 01:12 PM.