Most beautiful sight I ever saw!
The intensity of the Corona against the pitch dark moon on a blue sky was simply breathtaking.
Reproducing this scenery on a photo or TV doesn't even remotely match the "original".
Awesome sight.
Full Version: Total Solar Eclipse
I'm just back from Turkey where I got to witness the total solar eclipse.
Most beautiful sight I ever saw!
The intensity of the Corona against the pitch dark moon on a blue sky was simply breathtaking.
Reproducing this scenery on a photo or TV doesn't even remotely match the "original".
Awesome sight.
Most beautiful sight I ever saw!
The intensity of the Corona against the pitch dark moon on a blue sky was simply breathtaking.
Reproducing this scenery on a photo or TV doesn't even remotely match the "original".
Awesome sight.
I remember the total solar eclipse in 1999, which was visible from the county of Cornwall, not many miles from where I live. We (Exeter) were just outside the small band of land that could see the whole totality.
Unfortunately, as this is England in the middle of summer (August 11th), the day was overcast, and the whole event was marred by heavy cloud cover!
That said, I still remember the eery darkness and stillness during that brief period of time; all the birds were quiet, and so was the town, as everyone had stopped to watch.
It must have been spectacular to see the eclipse in Turkey. I hope you wore some eye protection, if you were looking directly at the corona.
Unfortunately, as this is England in the middle of summer (August 11th), the day was overcast, and the whole event was marred by heavy cloud cover!
That said, I still remember the eery darkness and stillness during that brief period of time; all the birds were quiet, and so was the town, as everyone had stopped to watch.
It must have been spectacular to see the eclipse in Turkey. I hope you wore some eye protection, if you were looking directly at the corona.
QUOTE(Synthetic Soul @ Mar 30 2006, 10:54 PM)
I hope you wore some eye protection, if you were looking directly at the corona.
During the totality it is safe to observe the sun with the naked eye or through standard binoculars.
A friend of mine just saw the eclipse in Egypt. He says it's utterly unforgettable.
The corona is safe, but apparantly it is unsafe to view the partial eclipse right before/after totality. The pupils are dilated due to the reduced light so that the risk of blindness is much higher than even staring at the sun normally. (From what I've read.)
The corona is safe, but apparantly it is unsafe to view the partial eclipse right before/after totality. The pupils are dilated due to the reduced light so that the risk of blindness is much higher than even staring at the sun normally. (From what I've read.)
QUOTE(Axon @ Mar 31 2006, 07:20 PM)
A friend of mine just saw the eclipse in Egypt. He says it's utterly unforgettable.
The corona is safe, but apparantly it is unsafe to view the partial eclipse right before/after totality. The pupils are dilated due to the reduced light so that the risk of blindness is much higher than even staring at the sun normally. (From what I've read.)
The corona is safe, but apparantly it is unsafe to view the partial eclipse right before/after totality. The pupils are dilated due to the reduced light so that the risk of blindness is much higher than even staring at the sun normally. (From what I've read.)
You are absolutely right. Hardcore corona observers actually close they eyes 4-5 minutes prior to the totality, in order to allow the pupils to dilate to the maximum.
This time round the totality took more than 3 minutes in Turkey, which is enough time for the pupils to adjust.
However some total eclipses only have a duration less than 2 minutes, which is too short a time for the eyes to adjust properly.
When the core shadow passes at the 3rd contact and the first rays of the sun hit you after the totallity the intensity is immense.
You have 1-2 seconds to put on your eye protection if you do not want to damage your sight.
I must admit I took a few seconds longer before putting on my eye protection, as if I couldn't get enough.
BTW you will have total solar eclipses in the US, both in 2017 and 2024. I don't know the duration of the one in 2017, but the one in 2024 will have a duration above 4 minutes.
Expect to find me there.
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