People of India -- Did you want to experience the total solar eclipse which the US experienced recently? (Article No. 1)
People of the United States -- Did you miss the recent total solar eclipse? Here’s your next chance (Article No. 2)
___________________________________________________________
Article No. 1 (People of India):
Source: Hindustan Times
The stars came out in the middle of the day, zoo animals ran in agitated circles, crickets chirped, birds fell silent and a chilly darkness settled upon the land Monday as the US witnessed its first full solar eclipse since World War I.
But all that people in India witnessed was the glow of their digital screens humming with excitement as the moon overtook the golden orb.
India won’t witness a total solar eclipse till 2034, another 17 years from now. Yet, there are annular solar eclipses coming up in 2019 and the year after.
Total solar eclipses occur every year or two or three years, often in the middle of nowhere like the South Pacific or Antarctic. In the annular solar eclipse -- also called the ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse -- the moon is farther away from the Earth, so it can’t block out all of Sun’s light.
Here’s how long you have to wait to witness the celestial event:
December 26, 2019: This annular solar eclipse will be visible in southern India, Sri Lanka and in parts of the Arab peninsula, Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore, parts of Borneo and Guam.
June 21, 2020: Another annular solar eclipse will be visible in northern India, including New Delhi, Tibet, Horn of Africa, Arabian peninsula, southern Pakistan, parts of China and Taiwan.
March 20, 2034: The total solar eclipse will be visible in India, Pakistan, China and parts of Africa and the Middle East.
___________________________________________________________
Source: The Verge
Yesterday, the US experienced one of the biggest astronomical events of the decade: A total solar eclipse that crossed the country from coast to coast for the first time since 1918. If you’re heartbroken you missed it, don’t worry. You ought to get a few other chances over your lifetime.
Total solar eclipses happen every 18 months or so, when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun on its orbit around our planet. If you’re in the direct path of the Moon’s shadow — called the path of totality — you will see the Sun go dark. Often, however, the path of totality goes over the ocean or Antarctica. So that’s why whenever a total solar eclipse crosses easily reachable areas, it’s such a big deal. And one that shouldn’t be missed.
So if you didn’t catch totality yesterday, here are the next total solar eclipses that will cross at least part of the continental US.
APRIL 8TH, 2024
The next total solar eclipse to cross the United States will take place in fewer than seven years. This eclipse will also be visible from Mexico and a tiny slice of Canada. Seven years isn’t too far ahead to start planning for it. And remember: last-minute travel plans aren’t a great idea.
AUGUST 12TH, 2045
The next big total solar eclipse to cross the continental US from coast to coast again is a little more far off into the future. The path of totality for this one is pretty similar to yesterday’s eclipse, but a bit more to the South.
MARCH 30TH, 2052
Okay, this is really far off into the future, but maybe you’ll still be around? Totality will barely touch the US, but you could get a glimpse of it in southern Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia.
More total eclipses will cross just a few states in 2078 and 2079 as well. It’ll be a treat if you’ve got really good genes and are still roaming the planet then.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for eclipses to cross the US. In fact, a total solar eclipse will cross Chile and Argentina on July 2nd, 2019. Then another one will pass over Chile and Argentina again on December 14th, 2020. Talk about luck.
___________________________________________________________
Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
No comments:
Post a Comment