Yesterday, along with millions of TV viewers, I had the
privilege of watching the eclipse of the sun. Cloud cover where I live in Essex
prevented me from seeing it firsthand. I
thought the BBC produced and presented their programme very well. With great
technical skill they showed live footage of the eclipse from different parts of
the UK and from the Faroe Islands.
The moon’s shadow first passed over S W England at Newlyn. From there it progressed in a northerly
direction over England and Scotland. Perhaps the trickiest part of filming was
from an aircraft in flight north of the Faroes from where it was possible to film
a full eclipse. Liz Bonnin was the commentator. Elsewhere in the UK the eclipse was only
partial. The further north you were, the fuller was the eclipse.
The 20th March 2015 also coincided with the Spring
Equinox, the first day of the year when there are twelve hours of daylight and
twelve hours of darkness for those at the equator. Coincidentally, the Moon
happens to be in perigee; that’s when it is closest to the earth while
travelling on its elliptical orbit. Because the sun, earth and moon are lined
up, it is also a time when the difference between high and low tide is at its
maximum – a time when tidal streams run at their fastest.
Links
‘Breathtaking’ solar eclipse witnessed by millions
Solar Eclipse Photos from Europe
UK’s First Glimpse of Solar Eclipse
Solar eclipse: amazing picture from International Space
Station was photoshopped
Solar Eclipse
2015: LIVE updates as the eclipse happens across the UK
Eclipse – Wikipedia
Faroe Islands
Freaky Friday: Solar eclipse,
Supermoon, spring equinox
Not
just a solar eclipse! Today sees THREE astronomical phenomena take place as the
supermoon and spring equinox align
Total solar eclipse, supermoon,
equinox: Friday’s celestial triple play
Southend Tide Tables for March 2015 (Highest tide 2 days
after the equinox.)
Liz Bonnin
Interesting post. It is amazing that the size of the moon at an eclipse fits extactly over the sun, not too big, not too small, just the right size - Congratulations to the designer I say.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alden,
ReplyDeleteI would say it is awesome in the truest sense of the word. There is very little fear today of an almighty, all-powerful God who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Perhaps the event may cause people to think again.