Totality: Eclipses of the Sun - Softcover

Littmann, Mark; Espenak, Fred; Willcox, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019956552X ISBN 13: 9780199565528

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2009

Synopsis

A total eclipse of the Sun is the most awesome sight in the heavens. Totality: Eclipses of the Sun takes you to eclipses of the past, present, and future, and lets you see - and feel - why people travel to the ends of the Earth to observe them.

Totality: Eclipses of the Sun is the best guide and reference book on solar eclipses ever written. It explains: how to observe them; how to photograph and videotape them; why they occur; their history and mythology; and future eclipses - when and where to see them

Totality also tells the remarkable story of how eclipses shocked scientists, revealed the workings of the Sun, and made Einstein famous. And the book shares the experiences and advice of many veteran eclipse observers.

Totality: Eclipses of the Sun is profusely illustrated with stunning photographs (many in color) and more than a hundred maps and diagrams. It can be read by lay people and astronomers with ease and enjoyment.

About this title

Review:

Francis Baily, spent his twenties exploring unsettled parts of North America and didn't get around to astronomy until he was 37, when he travelled to an annular eclipse of the Sun in southern Scotland. On May 15, 1836 he watched as light from the occluded sun poured through the lunar valleys and reached him broken up into "a row of lucid points, like a string of bright beads". With those words, Baily founded the industry of eclipse chasing.

The best feature of Totality is its wealth of biographical information about eclipse-chasers past and present. Throughout this century, every total eclipse over land has been attended by scientists willing to travel great distances, endure hostile climates--and risk complete failure because of clouds--for a few minutes' view of the corona. This turbulent outer part of the sun, best studied when the sun is obscured, draws observers across the globe to this day.

Totality is one of several portmanteau guides produced in time for the 1999 eclipse, and like most of them it doesn't seem to know which readers it's addressing. Near the beginning the reader is abjured not to let all the science bits "stand in the way of your enjoyment of the wild, wacky, and wonderful things people have thought and done about solar eclipses". What a naff sentiment, in such a fascinating and adult marriage of science, history, biography and sound technical advice. - -Simon Ings

Review:

I found the writing style of this superb book particularly to my liking and so easy on the eye that I finished it in just two sittings a very unusual occurrence for me indeed. [] There is no question about this at all; if you have even the slightest interest in our closest star then this book really should be in your collection! (Greg Parker, Astronomy Now)

...continues to prove itself to be an indispensible guide and reference book for solar eclipse observation today...Totality covers every aspect of solar eclipses and addresses a wide audience with an interest in astronomy...If you intend to witness the total solar eclipse next year in India, China and Japan, I highly recommend Totality to be included in your backpack. (Kathryn Chung Bluesci)

Although this work is academic to the extent that it could easily be used as a reference textbook, it is written so professionally that it reads more like a well-crafted novel! (Astronomy Now)

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 019956552X
• ISBN 13: 9780199565528
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 361