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Credit & Copyright: Fred Espenak (courtesy of
www.MrEclipse.com)
Explanation:
Today, earthbound skygazers can celebrate
a solstice,
a new Moon,
the closest approach
of planet Mars since 1988 ... oh yes, and a total eclipse of the Sun, the
first
total solar eclipse of the third millennium.
Of course for some, today's most spectacular celestial views will be of
the
eclipsed Sun
from along the path of totality as the new Moon's
shadow tracks across southern
Africa
and Madagascar.
This picture from the August 1999 total solar eclipse captures the
shimmering solar corona just before that eclipse's total phase
ended, as seen from eastern Turkey.
The first rays of bright sunlight shinning
through edge-on
lunar mountains and valleys
create the fleeting appearance of glistening diamonds set in a
ring around the Moon's silhouette.
Do you
want to see today's solar eclipse?
Eclipse expeditions are offering
live webcasts.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: solstice - total solar eclipse - new moon
Publications with words: solstice - total solar eclipse - new moon
See also: