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SODAP - SOBOMEX
SKY & SPACE DEPARTMENT
Manufacturer of eclipse glasses
3, Rue des Frères Lumière - B.P. 18095
67038 STRASBOURG CEDEX - FRANCE Phone: +33 (0) 390 207 850 Fax: +33 (0) 390 207 855
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| THE AREA PASSED |
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GENERAL MAP OF THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF JANUARY 15, 2010
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| GENERAL MAP OF THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF JANUARY 15, 2010 |
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This eclipse is the EIGHTH ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN of the XXIst century.
It will be visible in partial form on two continents:
AFRICA, SOUTH and SOUTH-EAST ASIA.
Its central band will be visible in ANNULAR ECLIPSE form only on territory of the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, it will cross then the NORTH of the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, the UGANDA, the KENYA and in the south of SOMALIA.
After having crossed the Indian Ocean, it will pass over the REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES, the South of INDIA, the North of SRI LANKA, the Bay of Bengal, BURMA and will come to an end in the northeast of CHINA.
The specificity and the general interest of this ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN is the exceptional width: 320 to 365 km of its centrality band on average, depending on the countries concerned.
It is about the same for the annular phase duration, which varies between 7 and 11 minutes according to the areas of the countries mentioned.
This ANNULAR ECLIPSE will be visible in partial form in CENTRAL AFRICA, SEYCHELLES, and SOUTH and SOUTH-EAST ASIA.
Annular solar eclipses, because of their rarity and the spectacle they offer, are all the more fascinating to observe.
But it is therefore all the more important to protect one's eyes, because there is no safe phase during an annular eclipse. (See chapter PROTECT YOUR EYES)
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| SCHEDULES OF THE ECLIPSE |
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SELECT YOUR COUNTRY TO DOWNLOAD
THE DETAILED SCHEDULES OF THE ECLIPSE.
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| THE COURSE OF THE PHENOMENON |
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 ANNULAR ECLIPSE: THE STARS OF THE SHOW
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| THE SUN |
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| THE MOON |
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| THE EARTH |
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Click on pictures for information. |
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We have a SOLAR ECLIPSE when the EARTH passes in the cone of umbra or the cone of penumbra of the MOON. The SUN, the MOON and the EARTH are then practically aligned and this when the new MOON approaches. Therefore SOLAR ECLIPSES occur on the new MOON.
The disc of the MOON being of an insufficient diameter to entirely mask the SUN (as opposed to a total eclipse), a thin rim of the SUN remains visible around the black disc of the MOON.
Indeed, depending on the MOON's distance away from us, this ring will vary in thickness.
In this case there is an ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.
Nevertheless, it remains an unusual sight through your protective glasses "SPECIAL ECLIPSE" you will see at the time of the ANNULAR PHASE a large black disc - the MOON - move in front of the SUN.
The conical umbra is accompanied by a penumbra zone where a part of the SUN remains visible. The ECLIPSE is PARTIAL in this zone.If the EARTH passes only in the cone of penumbra of the MOON we have a PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN. |
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THE PHENOMENON on the other side of the MOON in relation to the SUN, two zones can be distinguished:
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• An UMBRA ZONE where it is fast completely dark, because a big part of the surface of the SUN is hidden: the ECLIPSE is ANNULAR.
This zone is in the form of a tapering cone and it is the tip of this cone that will sweep across land.
• A PENUMBRA ZONE where part of the SUN remains visible and where the ECLIPSE is only PARTIAL.
The rest of the country will be in this area.
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The CORONA, this luminous outer atmosphere around the MOON, can only be observed when the entire lunar disc partially covers the SUN.
This is why ANNULAR ECLIPSES OF THE SUN are rare and much sought-after phenomena.
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Just before the ANNULAR ECLIPSE, the luminous atmospheric ring around the SUN breaks into spots of light. This effect is caused by the final specks of sunlight shining through gaps between the lunar mountains.
Almost all the luminosity of the photosphere has disappeared and the corona shines like a pearly white ring, sometimes in an irregular shape, around the SUN.
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The ANNULAR ECLIPSE has now begun. The entire horizon may take on an orange or claret colour, similar to the colour of the sky after a sunset.
Stars and bright planets may be visible during an annular eclipse.
The sun's corona may now be clearly visible. When the SUN is at the height of its activity the corona can appear as a broad ring.
The sky darkens considerably and plants and animals react to the increase in darkness.
Some flowers may close. Animals may behave as they do when night falls.
As the light fades more rapidly, the surroundings may start to look metallic-grey and shadows become better defined.
The temperature can also fall by several degrees.
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| ANIMATION OF THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE |
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ANIMATION OF THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE
OF THE SUN OF JANUARY 15th 2010
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Eclipse Glasses 2010
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