2012
AUSTRALIA
TOTAL SOLAR
ECLIPSE
(2012 Nov. 14)
Details Here!
LAST TOURS
Norway Northern Lights Cruise
to Above Arctic Circle
2010 March 10–21
2009 China Total
Solar Eclipse
[2009 July]
>
EXAMPLES
OF OTHER
PAST TOURS
(Links available for some but some links may not work correctly)
Carribean Cruise Eclipse
[1998 Feb]
African Eclipse Safari
[2001 Dec]
Australia Outback
Solar Eclipse
[2002 Dec]
Transit of Venus
Italy, Athens & Crete
[2004 June]
Hybrid Solar Eclipse
Tahiti Cruise
[2005 April]
Astronomy, Archaeology
& Geology of Arizona
[2005 September]
Egypt Treasures &
Solar Eclipse
[2006 March]
China &
Solar Eclipse
[2009 July/Aug]
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ECLIPSE PHENOMENA & EVENTS
Even long durations of totality are brief. Practice what you should look for during the few minutes of totality.
WARNING: Do not observe or photograph the Sun out of eclipse or in partial eclipse without safe solar filters. (No filter needed for totally eclipsed Sun). See Eye Safety
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There is more to a solar eclipse than meets the eye! Eclipse events pass quickly, especially during the brief moments of totality.
Learn this list of events and take it with you to the eclipse.
(Terms with links are explained in our Glossary.)
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(Click image above for larger version)
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Eclipse Event Check List
« Safe Solar Filter Needed for All Partial Phases »
See Eye Safety Information
Continental Capers will provide a safe solar viewer for visual use for your eyes
(Click images for largest size available. Also links below take you to more information or images.)
FIRST CONTACT
(Partial Eclipse Begins: First Bite)
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As Partial Phases of Eclipse Progress
Look For
- Moon's "first bite" at west edge of Sun (use a safe solar filter)
- Moon covering sunspots using binoculars
(if have safe solar filter made for placement in front of binoculars)
- Shadows on ground sharpening
- Projected crescents
(Use pinhole punched in card to project Sun's image onto another card, even a small hole made with your fingers!)
- Darkening of western sky during half hour before totality
- "Unnatural" illumination though still full daylight (light & color changes)
- Gradual drop in temperature
- Mounting tension!
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Eclipse Begins
"First Bite"
Partial Eclipse
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SECOND CONTACT
(End of Partial Phases and Beginning of Totality)
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As Partial Phase of Eclipse Ends
Look For
- Rapid darkening of sky as Moon's shadow arrives from west
- Moon's shadow in west as a column of darkness races toward you
- Shadow bands, faint, shimmering waves appearing on surfaces & walls (starting a few minutes before totality)
- Corona a few minutes before totality (block disk of Sun)
- Baily's Beads around Moon's dark disk (may only last a few seconds)
- Diamond Ring (may only last a few seconds)
- "Everyone cheering" remove safe solar filter (and eye patch)
- Sun's reddish chromosphere around Moon's black disk
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Baily's Beads
Diamond Ring
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TOTALITY!
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During Totality — No Filter Needed
Look For
- Reddish prominences flame-like or archeSKY
d (use binoculars)
- Corona—nature's crowing glory
(look for structure, shape, asymmetries, streamers, extent, etc.)
- Surface features on the dark lunar disk (difficult—use binoculars)
- Landscape darkness and eerie horizon twilight (is it uniform?)
- Planets if in eclipse sky (esp. Venus & Jupiter) and bright stars (e.g., Sirius)
- "Strange" animal and plant behavior
- "Strange" human behavior! (strong emotions—besides awe, some cry, others get chills, may seem paralyzed or feel primitive terror)
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Prominences
Corona
Twilight Glow
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THIRD CONTACT
(End of Totality/Beginning of Partial Phases)
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As Total Phase of Eclipse Ends—Put on Safe Solar Filter
Look For
- Everyone groaning (disappointment that it's already over)
- Diamond Ring (may only last a few seconds)
- Baily's Beads around Moon's dark disk (may only last a few seconds)
- Corona for a few minutes even after totality ends (block Sun's disk)
- Rapid brightening of sky as Moon's shadow departs toward east
- Shadow bands again appearing on surfaces & walls for a few minutes after totality
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Diamond Ring
Baily's Beads
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FOURTH CONTACT
(Partial Eclipse Ends: Last Bite)
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As Partial Phases of Eclipse End
Look For
- Moon's shadow in east as a column of darkness races away
- Temperature gradually rising
- "Unnatural" illumination though still daylight (light & color changes)
- Brightening eastern sky
- Projected crescents (use pinhole projection again)
- Shadows on ground sharpening
- Moon uncovering sunspots using binoculars
(if have safe solar filter made for placement in front of binoculars)
- Everyone starts to plan for next eclipse!
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Partial Eclipse
"Last Bite"
Eclipse Ends
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