Today’s Annular Eclipse

October 3, 2005
by Nicholas Knisely
Science

Thousands Gather to View Rare Eclipse (AP)

The sun is seen as it is masked by the moon during a solar eclipse in Rio de Onor, Braganca, northern Portugal, near the Spanish border, Monday, Oct. 3, 2005. Thousands of people gathered across Portugal and Spain on Monday morning to catch a glimpse of a rare and spectacular type of solar eclipse. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte) AP – From northern Portugal to the heart of Africa, crowds gathered Monday on roofs, hilltops and in city squares for a rare chance to see a spectacular solar eclipse.

This is the first picture I’ve seen of the eclipse. There’s more about the event if you follow the link. (Extra credit available if you’re one of my students and mention this post in class…)

(Via Yahoo! News – Science.)

The Author

Episcopal bishop, dad, astronomer, erstwhile dancer...

2 Comments

  1. Scott says

    I can’t tell you how many news reports I saw and heard about the “annual eclipse.” I wonder how many viewers and listeners bought that…”Oh, it must happen every year on this date.” Yeah.

  2. Nick says

    Lots of my students over the years have made the same mistake. It’s probably because the word annulus isn’t used in common conversation very much anymore.
    I usually draw a picture of an annulus on the board. Then they “get it”.

Comments are closed.