Sunset Solar Eclipse   
       
   Oct 17, 2014: Sunsets are always pretty.  One sunset this month could be out   
   of this world. On Thursday, Oct. 23rd, the setting sun across eastern parts of   
   the USA will be red, beautiful and . crescent-shaped.   
       
   "It's a partial solar eclipse," explains longtime NASA eclipse expert Fred   
   Espenak.  In other words, the New Moon is going to 'take a bite' out of the   
   sun.   
       
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rcf_QNaXK0&feature=youtu.be   
       
   A new ScienceCast video previews the partial solar eclipse of Oct. 23rd. Play   
   it   
       
   A total eclipse is when the Moon passes directly in front of the sun,   
   completely hiding the solar disk and allowing the sun's ghostly corona to   
   spring into view. A partial eclipse is when the Moon passes in front of the   
   sun, off-center, with a fraction of the bright disk remaining uncovered.   
       
   The partial eclipse of Oct. 23rd will be visible from all of the United States   
   except Hawaii and New England.  Coverage ranges from 12% in Florida to nearly   
   70% in Alaska.  Weather permitting, almost everyone in North America will be   
   able to see the crescent.   
       
   The eclipse will be especially beautiful in eastern parts of the USA, where   
   the Moon and sun line up at the end of the day, transforming the usual sunset   
   into something weird and wonderful.   
       
   "Observers in the Central Time zone have the best view because the eclipse is   
   in its maximum phase at sunset," says Espenak. "They will see a fiery crescent   
   sinking below the horizon, dimmed to human visibility by low-hanging clouds   
   and mist".   
       
   Warning: Don't stare. Even at maximum eclipse, a sliver of sun peeking out   
   from behind the Moon can still cause pain and eye damage. Direct viewing   
   should only be attempted with the aid of a safe solar filter.   
       
   http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2014-Fig04.pdf   
       
   Click to view a visibility map of the Oct 23rd partial solar eclipse.  During   
   the eclipse, don't forget to look at the ground. Beneath a leafy tree, you   
   might be surprised to find hundreds of crescent-shaped sunbeams dappling the   
   grass. Overlapping leaves create a myriad of natural little pinhole cameras,   
   each one casting an image of the crescent-sun onto the ground beneath the   
   canopy. When the eclipsed sun approaches the horizon, look for the same images   
   cast on walls or fences behind the trees.   
       
   Here's another trick: Criss-cross your fingers waffle-style and let the sun   
   shine through the matrix of holes. You can cast crescent suns on sidewalks,   
   driveways, friends, cats and dogs-you name it. Unlike a total eclipse, which   
   lasts no more than a few minutes while the sun and Moon are perfectly aligned,   
   the partial eclipse will goes on for more than an hour, plenty of time for   
   this kind of shadow play.   
       
   A partial eclipse may not be total, but it is totally fun.   
       
   See for yourself on Oct. 23rd.  The action begins at approximately 6 pm on the   
   east coast, and 2 pm on the west coast.  Check NASA's Eclipse Home Page for   
   viewing times near your hometown.   
       
   Credits:   
   Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit:   
   Science@NASA   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)