                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2024 March 10
   A field of snow leads up to a dark circle. Light rays eminate from this
     circle. In front, standing on the snow field is a person and to the
   left is a folding chair and a bag. Please see the explanation for more
                            detailed information.

                   A Total Eclipse at the End of the World
           Image Credit & Copyright: Fred Bruenjes (moonglow.net)

   Explanation: Would you go to the end of the world to see a total
   eclipse of the Sun? If you did, would you be surprised to find someone
   else there already? In 2003, the Sun, the Moon, Antarctica, and two
   photographers all lined up in Antarctica during an unusual total solar
   eclipse. Even given the extreme location, a group of enthusiastic
   eclipse chasers ventured near the bottom of the world to experience the
   surreal momentary disappearance of the Sun behind the Moon. One of the
   treasures collected was the featured picture -- a composite of four
   separate images digitally combined to realistically simulate how the
   adaptive human eye saw the eclipse. As the image was taken, both the
   Moon and the Sun peeked together over an Antarctic ridge. In the sudden
   darkness, the magnificent corona of the Sun became visible around the
   Moon. Quite by accident, another photographer was caught in one of the
   images checking his video camera. Visible to his left are an equipment
   bag and a collapsible chair. A more easily visible solar eclipse will
   occur in just under four weeks and be visible from a long, thin swath
   of North America.

                   Tomorrow's picture: Full Plankton Moon
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn; Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

