Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses

by Philip S. Harrington

Book Overview

The most complete guide to viewing eclipses-including details on every solar and lunar eclipse through 2017 Want to observe the most fleeting eclipse phenomena, take dramatic photos, and keep a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471127957
• ISBN13: 9780471127956
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A fine book about solar and lunar eclipses

Yes, this book is a little bit dated, given that it gives plenty of advice about how to observe the solar eclipses from 1998 to 2017, and we're nearly halfway through that time period already. The book tells us about the main things one sees during an eclipse. Until the Sun is nearly covered by the Moon, there are few changes. But once the Sun is almost covered, things do change a little, in a spooky manner. There is still plenty of light; it isn't at all dark yet. It may be a little cooler, of course. But everything looks a little strange, because the Sun has been reduced to almost a point source. Harrington does not emphasize this, but shadows get much, much sharper. It's weird. Meanwhile, Harrington does spend some time telling about the shadow bands (on the landscape) that one may observe shortly before totality. These are not easy to see, and they are nearly impossible to photograph. And then, you may get to see the Moon's shadow rushing toward you at 1000 miles per hour. Once it reaches you, that's the start of totality. As you get close to totality, the only sunlight is that which sneaks through some of the Moon's valleys: it is called "Bailey's beads." The final few seconds before totality, there is only one bead left, and that is called "the Diamond Ring." By now, the horizon looks like a 360-degree sunset. And at last, yes, there is totality (and darkness...it is like being outdoors in the middle of the night when the Moon is full), with the Sun and Moon combining to look like a hole in the sky. You get to see the Corona, and if you are lucky, maybe some solar prominences. And it is strange: most humans know from experience that it is Wrong for the Sun to be blocked in the middle of the day. Meanwhile, you get a rather unusual view of the sky. Many observers will try to get a rare naked-eye view of Mercury. Or there may even be a comet near the Sun that one can see. Harrington discusses eclipse photography. My advice is to leave that for the experts: if you try to do photographs, you may pretty much miss the eclipse. In addition, you may find it difficult to operate your camera in the dark! Maybe the best idea is to bring a movie camera to record the reactions of those who are with you. As this book explains, it requires some planning to get to see a solar eclipse at all. Eclipses rarely come to you; you almost always need to travel to get to see them. Harrington does discuss the main problem: it may be cloudy, and if clouds obscure the Sun, you will miss the eclipse! That means you need both good planning and some luck. Eclipses are unique experiences. I recommend this book about them.

Highly recommendable

I've been lucky to watch 3 total solar eclipses in my life, and still want more! This book was written by an eclipse-addict to help other eclipse-addicts, like me. I feel very grateful to Mr. Harrington for sharing all his experience and regarded knowledge to make the eclipse experience more fun. I'm now planning to watch the 2001 eclipse in Africa based on this book's advises. The book includes charts, tables, photographic tips, and much more useful information. The only drawback I see is that it has no color pictures.

The Aug '99 eclipse is around the corner,THIS BOOK IS A MUST

I have been planning my trip to view the August 1999 total solar eclipse for a few years now. It's almost here!! Thanks to this book, the best about eclipses by far, I am ready! Chapters detail traveling to other countries, what to bring, how to photograph eclipses, and even information about *every* eclipse between now and 2017. It even gives details about expected climatological conditions!This book is more than solar eclipses, however. It also gives me new appreciation for lunar eclipses as well. There is a beauty coming up in January 2000 that will be visible right from my backyard. I'm now ready for that one, too!!

Complete guide to nature's most spectacular show

Total solar eclipses are mother nature's rarest and best trick: for a few precious moments, a blackness replaces the sun.This book answers the what-where-why, as well as capturing the awe of total solar eclipses, and also covers the related phenomenon of lunar and partial solar eclipses.The book has the technical integrity to not "talk down" to the audience while still being interesting to the non-scientist.

Well written, fascinating - I'm hooked

I picked this book up in the library but it's one I will own. In one chapter all my questions about how eclipses work were answered and much more. Harrington has helped me discover the wonder and uniqueness of each upcoming eclipse, even if I won't always be on the right continent to observe them myself. An excellent guide book for everyone from the simply curious to the avid eclipse chaser.