Eclipse! The What, Where, When, Why & How Guide to Watching Solar & Lunar Eclipses - Softcover

S. Harrington, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471127957 ISBN 13: 9780471127956

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1997

Synopsis

The most complete guide to viewing eclipses–including details on every solar and lunar eclipse through 2017

Want to observe the most fleeting eclipse phenomena, take dramatic photos, and keep a detailed record of the experience? Now you can be prepared. This comprehensive one–stop resource covers everything you need to know about solar and lunar eclipses–why they happen, how to view them, how to photograph them, even when and where they will occur through the year 2017. Here′s where to turn for:
∗ Detailed explanations of eclipse mechanics and dynamics, viewing techniques, and what to look for, both in the sky and all around you
∗ Extended discussions of eclipse photography and videography–film selection and developing, filter requirements, special care of equipment, and more
∗ Intriguing individual and group activities you can carry out during an eclipse to heighten your enjoyment and deepen your understanding of the event
∗ Detailed maps and discussions on how and where to best view each eclipse, plus travel considerations, likely weather conditions, and equipment recommendations

Whether you′re a backyard astronomer, a dedicated eclipse chaser, or a teacher guiding students through their first eclipse experience, Eclipse! provides the in–depth, detailed, practical information you need to make the most of these thrilling celestial marvels of nature.

About this title

Review

At one point, Eclipse! takes time off from its primary task--a detailed technical guide to observing and recording eclipses around the globe--to tell the monitory tale of the pupils of a school in Baltimore, Maryland. On eclipse day May 1994, these eager and inquisitive children were not only kept in by their teachers during the event (owing to "legal considerations"); they were not even allowed near the windows! Of course, on the list of Things That Are Bound to Ruin Your Eclipse, other people's idiocy comes quite low. Top contenders for 1999 in the southwest of England are cloud and bad traffic. For those of us disappointed on the day, our tempers will only fray further the more we are told by lazy journalists that this was "our only chance to see an eclipse". This is of course a nonsense. Eclipses happen all over the world at reasonably frequent intervals and over the next few years they will be visible from many exciting locations. (Harare, 2001, anyone?) Philip Harrington's handsomely illustrated technical manual (none of your poorly-reproduced NASA Web site maps, here) is both a resource for experienced eclipse chasers and an excellent introduction for those bitten by the bug on August 11, 1999. As one observer says: "No matter how much totality you've seen, it's never enough. Nicotine, alcohol, gambling, any conventional addiction you can think of; umbral dependence is worse." --Simon Ings

From the Publisher

Eclipse!
Probably the most complete book on the subject, Harrington provides a comprehensive catalogue of everything you need to know in advance of August's great event, including tips on photography, safety notes, and lists of future solar and lunar eclipses across the world - helpful if you get the bug, or are disappointed by a Cornish wipe-out and decide to have another shot at observing these great events. - The Observer, 16 May 1999

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0471127957
• ISBN 13: 9780471127956
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 292