- Total Solar Eclipse Set For July 22 2009 - Stock Xchng, Lucretious
The maximum amount of time that the sun will be hidden behind the moon on July 22, 2009, is just over six and a half minutes. However, the moment of greatest eclipse happens out in the Pacific Ocean. The eclipse begins back in India and curves in an arc northeastward into China and then just south of Japan before heading south to open sea.
Total Eclipse in Southeast Asia
Totality begins in India with the center line just 200 miles north of the heavily populated Mumbai, bringing darkness to Surat. The path of the shadow travels east-northeast across India, enveloping Indore and Patna, among others. The eclipse then continues to southern Nepal, northern Bangladesh, and most of Bhutan. Then the eclipse sweeps across a large section of China, along with the tip of Myanmar. Some of the large Chinese cities in the path of the eclipse are Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, the most populous city in China. The total solar eclipse continues just south of the Japanese mainland and curves southward toward its setting. The eclipse does pass over some of the Marshall Islands during its long stretch in the open water before ending at sunset in the South Pacific.
Partial Eclipse for Large Areas of the Eastern Hemisphere
Those not in the line of totality may get a shot to see a partial solar eclipse. From the lower half of Russia to Sri Lanka, eastward to include Japan, North & South Korea, Malaysia, northern Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Vietman, Cambodia, the Phillipines, Papua New Guinea, the far northern tip of Australia and the lion's share of Pacific islands, including Hawaii, observers will see differing degrees of a partial eclipse.
How to View a Solar Eclipse
The phases before a total solar eclipse and those viewing from the areas of partial eclipse must use protection when looking at the sun. Either specially sold eclipse glasses or #14 welder's glass. But during totality, the view demands that you look at the glow and filaments surrounding the moon while it lasts. Look around to see how animals and even people are reacting. And look to the sky nearby to see things you cannot see in the daytime with the bright sun.
Stars and Planets to See During Totality
When the sun's rays are blocked out of the sky temporarily in the solar eclipse, the sky will darken and the brighter stars and planets will appear. The first bright star to the south of the eclipsed sun is Procyon in Canis Minor, and farther toward the horizon is Sirius in Canis Major. Just east of the eclipsed sun is Mercury and farther east is Saturn. Close to the eclipse's northwest are Castor and Pollux. Looking west of the eclipsed sun is Venus shining brightest, with Betelgeuse to its south and Capella to its north, and Mars lies a bit farther west of Venus.
Make the most of the July 22, 2009, total solar eclipse by knowing where to go, how to view it, and what you are looking at.
Kelly Whitt - I have been a professional writer for more than a decade, covering many topics from science-based articles to do-it-yourself home ...
