The graphic shows the simulated image of a total eclipse of the Sun which is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth on July 22, 2009. [Photo: NASA]
Have you ever seen a total solar eclipse? If not, you should not miss the chance to observe the spectacular natural phenomenon next month, which is said to be the longest one to occur in nearly 500 years in China.
Wang Sichao, an official from the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the total solar eclipse would take place on July 22, according to a Xinhua News Agency report. He said that it would begin at 9 a.m. and would last for up to six minutes in China. It will be the longest total solar eclipse to occur in nearly 500 years from 1814 to 2309.
Wang also said that the eclipse would be visible in many areas in the country, including Shanghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Henan, Hunan, An'hui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang. Other parts of China, such as Beijing, will see only a partial eclipse.
Astronomers say the next total solar eclipse will occur in 2034, but will be visible in fewer places in China, such as Tibet and Qinghai, and its duration will be much shorter.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is fully or partially covered. Seeing a total solar eclipse is rare in any location because during each eclipse, totality exists only along a narrow corridor in the relatively tiny area of the moon's umbra.
0 comments:
Post a Comment