Total Eclipses of the Sun: Expanded Edition

By Jack B. Zirker

Book Overview

Eclipses have captured attention and sparked curiosity about the cosmos since the first appearance of humankind. Having been blamed for everything from natural disasters to the fall of kings, they are now invaluable tools for understanding many celestial as well as terrestrial phenomena. This clear, easy-to-understand guide explains what causes total eclipses and how they can be used in experiments to examine everything from the dust between the planets to general relativity. A new chapter has been added on the eclipse of July 11, 1991 (the great Hawaiian eclipse).

Originally published in 1995.

The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691603669
• ISBN13: 9780691603667
• Release Date: July 2014
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Captivating reading!

In this book, Dr. Zirker not only gives one of the best introductions around this phenomena, but besides links this fact to test the prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity. A remarkable and bright compendium of one of the most fascinating, captivating and absorbing visual phenomena that the mother nature gives us from time to time and that is involved even in the same roots of many traditions and mythical experiences.

Newcomer to eclipses

This book introduces you to the world of solar eclipses. It covers the science of eclipses in a style that is very readable both to the lay person and the science buff. It answered the questions I had as well as many I didn't know I had. It also inspired me to go to an eclipse a few years ago, and now I am hooked. I recommend it to anyone interested in eclipses or those who might become interested if only they knew more.