Home Opinions Don’t miss the eclipse: upcoming solar action

PostHeaderIcon Don’t miss the eclipse: upcoming solar action

Editorial

051012_solar_eclipseBy Adam Duffy

On Sunday May 20 a partial solar eclipse of the sun will be visible to most of North America.  And an ‘annular’ solar eclipse, in which the moon covers all but a bright ring around the circumference of the sun, will be visible to areas between California and Texas. In BC a partial eclipse will begin at approximately 3:30pm and a ‘maximum’ will occur at around 5:05pm, with the eclipse ending at about 6:15pm.

(Photo:  Photo of the sun taken with a Canon T3 500mm lens through #10 welders glass which is available locally at Williams Lake Forestry Products or Tasko.  Photo by Adam Duffy.)

Remember not to look directly at the eclipse or take photos of it without the proper equipment: damage to your eyes is very possible.  The only time a person can look directly at the sun is during a TOTAL eclipse, when the moon covers 100% of the sun’s surface. During the upcoming annular eclipse, 99% of the sun’s surface, at the very most, will be covered. The crescent that is still visible is still strong enough to cause retinal burns, even though light levels will be like dusk.

The eclipse in May is just the start of solar activity this year. On June 4 there will be a partial lunar eclipse, some of which will be visible in North America before ‘moonset’.  On June 5th there will be a ‘transit of Venus’.  With the proper equipment you will be able to see the planet Venus move its way across the surface of the Sun.

And November 28th is the ‘penumbral lunar eclipse’.  With a ‘solar maximum’ (the sun’s greatest activity in a 10-11 year cycle) coming in 2013, keep your eyes looking at the dark northern skies, as this will bring some amazing northern lights in the months leading up to it.

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