|
Source
Rare partial solar eclipse will be visible in Arizona by Anne Ryman - May. 17, 2012 10:09 PM The Republic | azcentral.com A partial solar eclipse that begins late Sunday afternoon is expected to produce a spectacular sight around sunset. The eclipse begins around 5:30 p.m. Arizona time. The height of the eclipse will be around 6:30 p.m. when the moon's silhouette will block nearly 90 percent of the sun. The eclipse will still be visible at sundown. In northern Arizona, the eclipse will be particularly vivid because the moon will pass entirely in front of the sun, creating a bright ring of light. Such an annular eclipse, named after the ring, is rare. The view in the southern two-thirds of Arizona is expected to produce a broken ring of light. To avoid eye damage, do not stare directly at the sun. The Grand Canyon National Park is planning a viewing party. The North Rim and South Rim will offer ranger-assisted viewing; NASA scientists and amateur astronomers will be at the South Rim with telescopes. You can also watch live feeds of the eclipse on the Web beginning at 4:30 p.m. at skycenter.arizona.edu.
View eclipse, Venus at Gilbert observatory The Associated Press Solar Eclipse Posted: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 4:18 pm Tribune | The East Valley Astronomy Club at the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory located at Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is set to mark two events in the sky through specialized solar-equipped telescopes. Beginning at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, you’ll be able to view the annual solar eclipse. The event lasts for two hours, with the major portion of the eclipse visible about 6:30 p.m. Sunset is about 7:30 p.m., which is before the event has fully cleared. The high-powered telescope at the facility cannot see below about 16 degrees, so a series of smaller solar telescopes will be used, and positioned on the west side of and along the walk area that surround the observatory. Then, beginning at 3 p.m. June 5, Venus can be viewed passing in front of the sun. Venus will only block out about 3 percent of the disk, but with solar filters on the telescopes, it will be able to be viewed in a very rare transit. This condition will not repeat until the year 2117, according to a news release. Viewing will take place with the powerful observatory telescope during the first three hours, as well as with individual telescopes for the length of the event.
|