|
Credit & Copyright: Oliver Staiger
(High Moon)
Explanation:
Sometimes, during a
total eclipse of the Sun, a
strange shadow of darkness
can be seen stretching off into the distance.
Called a shadow cone, they are visible because the
Earth's atmosphere is not completely transparent,
scattering sunlight and hence
appearing blue during the day.
Shadow cones are particularly dramatic for
eclipses near the horizon,
as geometry creates a long corridor of sun-blocked air.
Visible above
is a shadow cone caught during a
total solar eclipse
visible last month from South
Australia.
The eclipsed Sun
itself still appears bright because of light from the
surrounding corona.
The digital camera on the left is zoomed in to show a
better image of the actual eclipse.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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: Total eclipse - solar eclipse
Publications with words: Total eclipse - solar eclipse
See also: