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As the total eclipse of the sun approaches Maine on Monday, from my perspective, one single aspect of this phenomenon stands out as totally awesome.
First, the basics. The news media explains that, in our solar system, any planet that has a moon (including ours) will from time to time experience a solar eclipse of one sort or another, from the perspective of the planet. That will happen any time that the circumnavigating moon comes between the sun and that planet, thereby casting a shadow on the surface of that orb. Sounds reasonable.
What I find so remarkable about eclipses on this planet, Earth, is this:
During our total eclipse, the outline of the Earth’s moon will exactly cover the diameter of the sun, as viewed from here on Earth. So exact, that the corona that extends beyond the surface of the sun can be seen in their resplendent bursts.
Considering the disparity of size between our moon (tiny) and the sun that warms us all (huge), if our moon’s orbit was even a little bit closer, or farther, from the Earth’s surface, this would not happen.
In a closer orbit, the moon would block the entire sun, including the corona — still an interesting phenomenon, I’m sure, but not the same. If further away, the moon’s shadow would be a black ball passing in front of the sun, dimming the Earth only a bit in its path.
So, on Monday afternoon, April 8, as you stand on our planet’s surface looking up (through your solar sunglasses), please contemplate the improbability of this exact juxtaposition of three planetary bodies in this cosmic event that we get to witness, usually only once or twice in a human lifetime.
Yes, awesome.
Jean Hay Bright
Dixmont
