Nasa image of the day 10/06/2007

[Jamie]

10th June 2007

Looking Back at an Eclipsed Earth

Credit: Mir 27 Crew; Copyright: CNES

Here is what the Earth looks like during a solar eclipse. The shadow of the Moon can be seen darkening part of Earth. This shadow moved across the Earth at nearly 2000 kilometers per hour. Only observers near the center of the dark circle see a total solar eclipse - others see a partial eclipse where only part of the Sun appears blocked by the Moon. This spectacular picture of the 1999 August 11 solar eclipse was one of the last ever taken from the Mir space station. The two bright spots that appear on the upper left are possibly Jupiter and Saturn, although this has yet to be proven. Mir was deorbited in a controlled re-entry in 2001.

[barkis]

Thats a great image Jamie, thank you.

It is a poignant memory for me. Three of us travelled down to Devon for that event in 1999, and we had a wonderful time.

Except, eclipse day was so cloudy, we saw nothing. It was so disappointing. The journey home to Carlisle was going to be a long one.

The wife had the last laugh too, Although it was only partial at home latitude, it was very clear, and she watched it through a piece of Mylar I had left for her. It was hard to bear. But, looking back, we did have a great time.

Ron.