Total Solar Eclipse on August 1?

Question

Well, on Wikipedia, it says that this particular Eclipse will be generally visible in parts of northern Canada, Russia, China, and Mongolia.

Anyway.

The site also states this:

A partial eclipse will be seen from the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra, including eastern North America and most of Europe and Asia.

So...In layman's terms, what does this mean?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Book!

Those in the total eclipse area see the solar disc completely covered by the moon.  However, a much larger area of the earth sees a partial eclipse.

If you're in the line of totality, you see the moon move right across the sun --  a bull's eye.

For most people watching the eclipse, the moon does not score a bull's eye.  If its path misses by a little above or below, the moon grazes the sun, but at maximum eclipse a part of the sun continues to shine above the moon, or below the moon.  That's a partial eclipse.

Answer 2

Have a look at this map: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEpubs/2008...

The total phase (track of the moon's umbra) is outlined in dark blue. The partial phase (track of the moon's penumbra) is outlined in red and light blue.

Answer 3

Penumbra comes from French 'pénombre' and means twilight. It means that while the eclipse will be total here in Norway, where I live, in most of Europe and North America south of Canada, it will be a partial eclipse.

Last Sunday I suffered cardiac arrest. Tomorrow 31th, I'll undergo open heart surgery ... I look forward to see the eclipse the day after.

Answer 4

8-1-08 can't be seen from the USA.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.htm...

Here is the NASA eclipse site.  

Next TOTAL solar eclipse in the USA will be in 2017

http://www.mcglaun.com/eclipse/eclipse20...

Answer 5

It means that the Moon will not completely cover the Sun.