The Long Shadow of the Moon
Credit & Copyright: Image courtesy J. Descloitres,
MODIS
Rapid Response Team,
GSFC,
NASA
Explanation:
The long shadow of the Moon fell across the continent of
Antarctica
on
November 23rd, during the second
total
solar
eclipse of 2003.
In this view
from orbit, based on data from the MODIS
instrument on board the Earth observing
Aqua satellite,
the Moon's shadow stretches for almost 500 kilometers.
Recorded between 23:15 and 23:20 Universal Time, the
shadow was cast by a lunar disc
silhouetted by the Sun
hanging only about 15 degrees above the antarctic horizon.
Observers within
the central dark portion of the oval-shaped shadow
could view the totally
eclipsed sun.
Shadows of mountains and clouds are also visible over
the Norwegian named
Queen Maud Land, Antarctica with the
South Pole
just beyond the lower right corner of the image.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
