Australian Sky & Telescope

Solar eclipses throughout the Solar System

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES, as seen from the Earth, occur because the ratio of the real diameters (400.6) and the average centre-to-centre distances from the Earth (389.2) of the Sun and Moon compensate for each other almost exactly. In other words, the Sun and the Moon appear to be almost the same size in our sky, making it possible for the Moon to completely cover the solar disk. It also gives us the chance to see the Sun’s awesome corona surrounding the silhouette of the Moon.

It has often been claimed that nowhere else in the Solar System is the apparent size of a natural satellite close enough to that of the Sun to produce an eclipse spectacle similar to that which we experience on Earth. This claim has been discussed a number of times but mostly

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Australian Sky & Telescope

Australian Sky & Telescope13 min read
Shake, Rattle and Roll
“My power’s really low, so this may be the last image I can send. Don’t worry about me though: my time here has been both productive and serene. If I can keep talking to my mission team, I will — but I’ll be signing off here soon. Thanks for staying
Australian Sky & Telescope1 min read
Australian Sky & Telescope
EDITORIAL EDITOR Jonathan Nally ART DIRECTOR Lee McLachlan REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS John Drummond, David Ellyard, Alan Plummer, David Seargent, EMAIL info@skyandtelescope.com.au ADVERTISING ADVERTISING MANAGER Jonathan Nally EMAIL jonathan@skyandtelescop
Australian Sky & Telescope4 min read
Mapping The Geologic Moon
The Moon was always considered an astronomical object. After all, it’s located in the sky and is best observed at night. But when, in 1962, US President John F. Kennedy decided that Americans should go to the Moon by the end of the decade, it then be

Related Books & Audiobooks