• SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER

Volume 9, Issue 2
SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER
February 2004
SOLAR ECLIPSE
NEWSLETTER
INDEX The sole Newsletter dedicated to Solar Eclipses
2 SECalendar February Dear All,
7 SECalender correction - Galilei
7 SECalendar for January Make sure you have fully booked your seat at the So-
8 Binary death? lar Eclipse Conference for August at the Open Univer-
8 Picture Babak, Iran picture icebreaker sity of Milton Keynes, UK. Spaces are limited. See
9 SEC2004 Countdown you in August, Patrick & Joanne
10 Book "Eclipses of the Sun"
10 Stunning book!
10 SENL January Index
11 SEC2004 Solar Eclipse Conference
11 Eclipse novel
12 ENHA 56
13 Visual color impression of the corona
18 A FUNNY SEMI- ECLIPSE RELATED STORY
18 Globe-spanning totality!
19 Picture global spanning eclipse Kopia%20av%20Toras%
20diamantring
19 APOD- Astronomy PIcture of the Day website and book
19 Photo mishaps
20 Number of eclipses
22 About eclipse calculations: 2 questions
24 "Shooting the sun" eclipse novel
25 The Beginning of the End of an Era
25 Eclipse penguin game
25 Strange Eclipse Story (Possibly for the SENL?): 31-May-
2003, Orkney Islands
26 Solar Eclipse Articles
26 Julena S. Duncombe, 1912-2003
27 Eclipse music, can anyone play it ?
27 Stupidity smarts- dumbest astronomy questions
28 TSE2003 S&T/TQI/LanChile Flight Photos
28 Fictional Eclipse Expedition - Max Byrd's Novel
29 Eclipse sighting
29 2001-2006 links
29 FEBRUARY FULL MOON
29 Picture iran babak-panarama -pang2
30 Transit of Venus items
30 Venus Transit Meet/Observe
31 Midnight Venus transit in northern Alaska
32 Venus transit
32 NASA Transit of Venus website 35 Picture WebPages Fred Espenak Circumstances for
32 Picture nasa transit of venus website TV2004-Sun1b Cities (International)
33 Picture nasa transit of venus website TV2004-Weather1b 35 Please add link
33 SOHO transit of Venus 36 2005 Total Eclipse
33 Venus Transit Tour to Iran 36 2005 Galapagos Eclipse Cruise
34 Update to Africlipse Website, including Libya tour for 36 Picture 2005 galapagos FrameHead
2006 36 Picture 2005 galapagos Image86b
35 Transit of Venus Education Program 37 Galapagos
Volume 9, Issue 2 SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER Page 2
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February 2004
Dear All,
Please find herewith the solar eclipse calendar (SECalendar) for February. If you have
any additional information, queries or remarks, please drop us a mail.
For the whole Solar Eclipse Calendar, see our Solar Eclipse WebPages at
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com
February 02, 1907 Death of Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleeff (1834-1907), Russian. Uses a balloon to ascend above the cloud cover to
an altitude of 11.500 feet (3.5 km) to observe an eclipse in Russia. (Ref Rc 1999)
February 02, 1998 ACE (US) starts observation of solarwind research. Ref. DD 2/99.
February 02, 2002 The E-Team, Joanne and Patrick Poitevin got married. Patrick and Joanne host the Solar Eclipse Mailing Lists,
organizes Totality Day and the international Solar Ec lipse Conference and edit the Solar Eclipse Nwesletter eand their Solar Eclipse
WebPages.
February 03, 1965 Launch of OSO 2 (US). Studied solar flames and influence of it on earth. Ref. DD 2/99.
February 03, 3051 Last calendar year where there were two Annular-Total Solar Eclipses was in 1825. There was an annular-total
solar eclipse on 16 June and one on 9 December 1825. The next occurance we have as such is in 3051. There will be an annular-
total solar eclipse on 3 February and one on 30 July.
February 05, -0001 (2 BC) A Partial Solar Eclipse on Feb. 5 of the year 2 BC in Chang-An, the capital of the Han Dynasty in
China, was seen as a good omen for Confucianist Wang Mang, who would soon wrest control of the government from the reigning
emperor. Ref. Rudi Thomsen, Ambition and Confucianism, A Biography of Wang Mang. And F.R. Stephenson, Atlas of Historical
Eclipse Maps, East Asia 1500 BC to AD 1900. (Ref. ENB10)
February 05, 1934 Minor planet (3707) Schröter 1934 CC. Discovered 1934 February 5 by K. Reinmuth at Heidelberg. Named in
honor of Egon Horst Schröter (1928- ), German solar astronomer and director of the Freiburg Kiepenheuer-Institut, on the occa-
sion of his retirement. In 1976 he succeeded K.-O. Kiepenheuer at the Freiburg Institute for Solar Physics. An important achieve-
ment during his directorship consisted in negotiations about the erection of two new tower telescopes at Teide Observatory on Tene-
rife, Canary Islands. Schröter served as president of the Astronomische Gesellschaft from 1987 to 1990. In 1978 he became a me m-
ber of the German Committee in COSPAR. (M 22499) Name proposed and citation prepared by J. Schubart, endorsed by G. Klare
and L. D. Schmadel. Dictionary of Minor Planet Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin He i-
delberg
February 05, 2002 Solar explorer successfully launched by Pegasus rocket. The L-1011 aircraft "Stargazer" takes off from Cape
Canaveral to launch the Pegasus rocket with HESSI. Bryan Baldwin, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus launch vehicle program manager,
said it was the first time a Pegasus count-down had been aborted only to have the countdown reset and carrier jet circle around to
launch the rocket during a second try on the same day. Ref SENL 0302.
February 06, 1612 Death of Christophorus Clavius (Christoph Klau), German mathematician and astronomer. He observed the total
solar eclipse of 1567 and observed the corona. Born in 1537. Ref. DD 2/99
February 07, 1824 Birth of William Huggins, British amateur astronomer. He built his own observatory on Tulse Hill, 8 km out of
London. He discovered emission lines of hydrogen. In 1875 he observed together with his wife Margaret L. Murray. He studied
further the spectra of planets and the solar corona, where he showed the hydrogen lines as well in 1876. Died in 1910. Ref. DD
(Continued on page 3)
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2/99.
February 07, 1834 Birth of Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleeff (1834-1907), Rusian. Uses a balloon to ascend above the cloud cover to an
altitude of 11.500 feet (3.5 km) to observe an eclipse in Russia. In the Royal Society they mention as well 7 as 8 February 1834.
(Ref. Rc 1999).
February 08, 1739 The longest eclipseless period is 22.32 years. It is the southern Indian Ocean where no solar eclipse was seen
between 15 October 1716 and 8 February 1739. Same length, one saros later, 26 October 1734 to 18 February 1757 in the southern
Atlantic Ocean. Ref. More Mathematical Astronomical Morsels by Jean Meeus; Willmann-Bell, 2002.
February 08, 1984 Minor Planet (3315) Chant 1984 CZ. Discovered 1984 February 8 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa. Named in
memory of Clarence Augustus Chant (1865-1956), generally referred to as the "father of Canadian astronomy". A renowned teacher,
Chant organized the Astronomy Department of the University of Toronto and built up the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
He participated in five solar eclipse expeditions, the most important being the one he led to Australia in 1922 to test Einstein's {see
planet (2001)} prediction of the deflection of starlight by a massive body. (M 12210) Name proposed by the discoverer following a
suggestion by P. M. Millman. Chant is also honored by a lunar crater. Dictionary of Minor Planet Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 -
Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 08, 1994 Minor Planet (7436) Kuroiwa 1994 CB2. Discovered 1994 February 8 by K. Endate and K. Watanabe at Kitami.
Named in memory of Goro Kuroiwa (1912-1990), Japanese astronomer and observer of variable stars. A student in the department
of astronomy at the University of Tokyo on the occasion of the total solar eclipse on 1936 June 19, he independently discovered the
nova CP Lac, along with Kazuaki Gomi {see planet (7035)}. While serving with the Japanese army in 1942 he independently dis-
covered the nova CP Pup. He represented Japan in the geodetic survey program using photoelectric observations of lunar occulta-
tions, carried out from 1950 to the 1960s by the U.S. Army Map Service Far East. (M 34343) Dictionary of Minor Planet Names -
ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 08, 2003 Second edition of Totality Day, held in the Open University of Milton Keynes, England. Organizers of TD2003,
Joanne and Patrick Poitevin welcomed lectures and presentations from Chris O'Byrne (Ireland), Daniel Fischer (Germany), Eric
Strach (UK), David Forshaw (UK), Joanne Poitevin (UK), Olivier "Klipsi" Staiger (Switzerland), Prof. Dr. Barrie W. Jones (UK),
Sheridan Williams (UK), Dr. Eric Jones (UK), Derek Hatch and Mike Foulkes (UK), Dr. Alan Ridgeley and Dr. Brian Sheen (UK),
Dr. Voyto Rusin (Slovakia) and Prof. Dr. Miloslav Druckmuller (The Czech Republic), Andrew and Val White (UK), Ted Thurgur
(UK), Nigel Evans and Patrick Poitevin. There were 70 attendees. The next conference will be SEC2004 on 20 - 21 - 22 August
2004 in the same Open University of Milton Keynes.
February 09, 2912 Least possible magnitude a single solar eclipse can have (only one eclipse in an eclipse season) is on 9 February
2912 with magnitude 0.154. It must be close to the theoretically minimum possible for the smallest single solar eclipse. Ref. More
Mathematical Astronomical Morsels by Jean Meeus; Willmann-Bell, 2002.
February 11, 1868 Death of Jean Bernard Leon Foucault (1819-1868), French physicist. Photographed the sun and measured the
speed of light together with (Armand) Hippolyte Louis Fizeau (1819-1896). (Ref. Rc 1999)
February 11, 1988 Minor planet (6001) Thales 1988 CP2. Discovered 1988 February 11 by E. W. Els t at La Silla. Named for the
famous Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus (c.625-547 B.C.). None of Thales' writings has come down to us, but from Aristoteles
{see planet (6123)} we know that he was the first to suggest a single substratum (water) for the Universe. The correct prediction of
the solar eclipse of -584 May 28 contributed considerably to his reputation as an astronomer. Thales' significance, however, lies in
the fact that he attempted to explain natural phenomena by causes within nature itself, rather than by caprices of anthropomorphic
gods. He must be credited with at least five important geometrical theorems. (M 24766) Thales is also honored by a lunar crater.
Dictionary of Minor Planet Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 12, 1431 "In (the month of) Jumada al-Ukhra, the astrologers warned that the Sun would be eclipsed, and in Cairo there
were callings to the people that they should pray and do good deeds. However, the eclipse did not occur and those who gave the
warnings were denounced. Then news arrived from al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) of the occurrence of an eclipse there covering all of
the Sun's body except one-eight of it. That was after midday on the 28th of the month." From: Al-Maqrizi, al-Saluk fi Ma'rifat Du-
(Continued on page 4)
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wal al-Muluk. " In (the month of) Jumada al-Ula it was known that the calendar experts agreed that the Sun was to be eclipsed on
the 28th of the month after the Zawal (i.e. after the Sun had crossed the meridian). The Sultan and the people were prepared for it
and were watching the Sun until it set but nothing of it had changed at all." From: Al-'Asqalani, INBA' AL -Ghumr bi 'Bna' al-'Umr.
These two quotations refer to total solar eclipse, expected in Cairo, but visible in Spain, of 12 February 1431. Quoted in Historical
Eclipses and Earth's Rotation, by F Richard Stephenson, Cambridge University Press, 1997, page 446.
February 12, 1431 "On February 12 at about the 21st or 22nd hour, the Sun was completely obscured and in front of the Sun was
placed a black circle like a little wheel. It became as dark as night and the sky revealed the stars. The birds went to roost as they usu-
ally do at night. Everyone was feeling ill at ease as a result of this event. It began half an hour before the Sun was covered over. It
gradually lost its light even to the hour stated above. . ." Refers to a total solar eclipse in Perugia, Italy, of 12 February 1431. From:
Antonio dei Veghi, Diario dall'anno 1423 al 1491. Quoted in Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation, by F Richard Stephenson,
Cambridge University Press, 1997, page 408.
February 12, 1831 The black slave preacher Nat Turner witnessed an annular solar eclipse. It was a vision from God of a "black an-
gel" overtaking a "white angel". The fomenting slave rebellion gained impetus and on August 13 Turner saw another spectacle - a
naked eye sunspot. The rebellion began on August 21 but was quickly crushed and Turner hanged.
February 12, 1893 Marcel Minnaert (1893 - 1970) studied biology at the University of Ghent in his native Belgium and physics at
the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. Minnaert published a collection of poems related to astronomy and popular books on
light and color and physics of the open air. He gave a lot of explanations in regard of effects with solar eclipses.
February 12, 2002 HESSI is opera-tional. It detected its first flare, a C2 flare early on Tuesday morning, February 12, starting at
0214 UT. The spacecraft is balanced and spinning at 14 rpm about an axis within about 0.1 degrees of the Solar As-pect System
(SAS) axis. We should get accurate aspect in-formation once the data from the SAS and the Roll Angle System are fully analyzed.
February 13, 1988 Minor Planet (4705) Secchi 1988 CK. Discovered 1988 February 13 at the Osservatorio San Vittore at Bologna.
Named in memory of Angelo Secchi (1818-1878), Italian astronomer, director of the observatory of the Collegio Romano in Rome
from 1848 to 1878. Famous for his work on stellar spectroscopy, he made the first spectroscopic survey of the heavens, and his clas-
sification scheme divided the spectra of the stars into four groups. Secchi also made an extensive study of solar phenomena and was
a co-founder of the Società degli Spettroscopisti Italiani, now the Società Astronomica Italiana. (M 20160) Secchi is also honored
by craters on Mars and on the Moon. Dictionary of Minor Planet Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-
Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 14, 1779 Death of James Cook (1728-1779), British circumnavigator and one of the first scientific navigators. He ob-
served the Solar Eclipse of 1766 August 5 from Newfoundland and in 1769 measured the transit of Venus from Tahiti. (Ref. Rc
1999)
February 14, 1953 Last solar eclipse on Valentine's Day. This century was blessed with Valentine's Eclipses. There was a partial
solar eclipse in 1953, a total solar eclipse in 1934 and an annular eclipse in 1915. Unfortunately, we do have to wait till 2306 and
2325 for the next Valentine Solar eclipses. Both will be Total Solar Eclipses.
February 14, 1980 Launch of Solar Maximum Mission, American Solar mission which achieved important results.
February 14, 1996 SOHO, European Solar mission reaches observation place: lagrangepoint L1.
February 14, 2325 A region near 29 degrees East and 23.5 degrees North, in the dessert of southern Egypt, will see five total solar
eclipses in a span of 31.8 years during the 24 th century: 14 February 2325, 20 June 2327, 5 February 2334, 31 July 2353, and 23
November 2356. Ref. JM 9/99.
February 15, 0538 The first solar eclipse recorded in Britain, described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; it occurred four years after
the death of Cerdic, first king of the West Saxons. The Sun was two-thirds eclipsed in London.
February 15, 1564 Birth of Galileo Galilee in Pisa. During a short stop of his parents in Pisa, Galileo was born. His father, Floren-
tine Vincenso Galilee was musician. He died in 1642 on 8 January. (ref. De jonge Galilei, Davidfonds nr. 341)
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February 15, 1858 Birth of W. Pickering, American astronomer. Discovered satellite of Saturn Phoebe. Predicted in 1909 the exis-
tence of Pluto, observed also the Moon, Mars and Solar Eclipses.
February 15, 1961 Dr. Menzel notes that television coverage was excellent, and almost everyone in Europe could view the eclipse
in one way or another. It was Galileo's birthday, and a 45 minute television program reviewed his contributions and those of other
Italian and European scientists toward our present understanding of the sun. (ref. SaT 4/1961p191)
February 15, 1961 Russians studied for the first time the solar corona and upper-at mosphere phenomena during an eclipse from
high-altitude stabilized platforms. On eclipse day, about noon, Russian scientists launched a series of rockets from an undisclosed
base in the zone of totality. (ref. SaT 6/1961p328)
February 15, 1961 The first attempt to show a total solar eclipse on television from several stations along the track was made by the
BBC at the eclipse of February 15, 1961. The track passed from France through Italy and former Yugoslavia, and thence into Rus-
sia. The attempt was successful and totality was shown from France, Italy and Yugoslavia. In eastern Yugoslavia, the place Nis , a
TV camera was placed at 4900 foot. Patrick Moore failed to broadcast the event. (ref. SaT 4/61 p 203)
February 15, 1961 The German astronomer K. O. Kiepenheuer, who was director of the Fraunhofer Institute at Freiburg, went to
Laigueglia, Italy, a little village not far from Imperia. He had 3 small cameras for studying the structure of the inner corona, which
he wished to correlate with surface features on the sun. His party had a dictaphone on which to record their impressions, but during
totality the observers were so preoccupied they forgot to talk! Later, when the recording was played back, it had one startling fea-
ture: Birds twittered distinctly in the background up to the beginning of totality, when these sounds stopped suddenly. Immediately
after totality, the birds became active again. (ref. SaT 5/1961p264)
February 15, 1961 Widely viewed through southern Europe. Observed Total Eclipse by W. Carton, J. Meeus, Partial phase ob-
served by F. Verbelen. F. Schmeidler (Germany) tried again in Italy on deflection of starlight (relativity tests). Sun was too low.
Tried in earlier and later Eclipses. Poland observed during Part (94%) with reaction of bees, masse, moths, butterflies (confirmation
of earlier Eclipse observations) by Wojtusiak and Majlert.
February 15, 1973 Launch of Prognoz 3, Russian mission for research of Solar and röntgenrays.
February 16, 0538 "The sun darkened on February 16th from dawn until nine in the mo rning." Refers to a solar eclipse in AD 538.
From: The Anglo Saxon Chronicles translated and collated by Anne Savage, CLB Publishing Ltd. Ref FE 01/01
February 16, 1086 "On the sixth day of the month of February between the sixth and ninth hours the Sun was obscured for the space
of three hours; it was so great that any people who were working indoors could only continue if in the meantime they lit lamps. In-
deed some people went from house to house to get lanterns or torches. Many were terrified." Refers to a solar eclipse of 16 February
1086. Goffredo Malaterra, Chronicle of the Norman rule in Sicily and southern Italy during the 11th century. Quoted in Encyclope-
dia Britannica CD 98.
February 16, 1980 The only cricket match to have been interrupted by an Eclipse of the Sun was the Jubilee test between India and
England on February 16, 1980. A Solar Eclipse was due that afternoon, and the Indian Board, in agreement with the English team,
did not want the responsibility of a crowd of 50.000 damaging their eyes by looking at the Sun when the Eclipse began. The Test
Match continued on the next morning.
February 17, 1865 May 20, 1825 Birth of George Phillips Bond at Dorchester, Massachusetts. July 28, 1851 First American
eclipse expedition to Europe when George Phillips Bond (1825 - 1865) led a team to Scandinavia. Died of tuberculosis on 17 Feb-
ruary 1865 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ref. Bibliography of Astronomers by Paul Luther, 1989.
February 18, 1977 Minor planet (5082) Nihonsyoki 1977 DN4. Discovered 1977 February 18 by H. Kosai and K. Hurukawa at
Kiso. Named for the chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to 697, written in Chinese and completed in 720. It was the first his-
torical record compiled by the Japanese government and contained records of various astronomical phenomena, such as appearances
of seven comets (including the 684 return of P/Halley), 13 solar eclipses (e.g. in 628), occultations of stars and planetary phenom-
(Continued on page 6)
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ena. It was translated into English by W. G. Aston and published under the title of Nihongi. {See also the citation for planet (5454)}.
(M 22506) Dictionary of Minor Planet Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 19, 1993 Minor planet (8387) Fujimori 1993 DO. Discovered 1993 February 19 by T. Seki at Geisei. Named in honor of
Kenichi Fujimori (1934- ), an amateur astronomer who observes sunspots, faculae and prominences. A formal observer designated
by the Sunspot Index Data Center, he served as director of the solar section of the Oriental Astronomical Association from 1971 to
1978. (M 33388) Name proposed by the discoverer following a suggestion by T. Sato and A. Fujii. Dictionary of Minor Planet
Names - ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 20, 1990 Minor Planet (5403) Takachiho 1990 DM. Discovered 1990 February 20 by Y. Kushida and M. Inoue at Ya t-
sugatake. Named for the home town of the wife of the second discoverer, Takachiho is located at the center of Miyazaki prefecture
in Kyusyu, some 900 km southwest of Tokyo, and surrounded by mountains. Takachiho is famous for its legends and myths on the
root of gods. The most famous is the legend of Amano-Iwato of Amaterasu-Ohmikami (the god of the sun). This story has been
handed down by Yokagura (sacred music and dance) as performed by farmers. (M 22250) Dictionary of Minor Planet Names -
ISBN 3-540-14814-0 - Copyright © 1999 by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
February 21, 1938 George Ellery Hale died in Pasadena. Principally he was an astrophysicist and he distinguished himself in the
study of solar spectra and sunspots. He developed a number of important instruments for the study of solar and stellar spectra, in-
cluding the spectroheliograph and the spectrahelioscope. Ten years after his death, his greatest dream, the 200 inch reflecting tele-
scope on Mount Palomar was completed. Born in Chicago June 29, 1868. Ref. The Bibliographical Dictionary of Scientists, edited
by David Abbott, 1994.
February 22, 1824 Birth of Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen (1824-1907, France), French astronomer and physic. Studied the Sun. Co-
discoverer of the lines of Helium in the Sun, that time on Earth not yet discovered. Observed solar eclipses of which one from Alge-
ria when he escaped Paris with a balloon during the war. (ref Rc 1999)
February 22, 1960 Death of Samuel A. Mitchell, American astronomer of the University of Virginia. Observed numerous solar
eclipses. Born in 1874.
February 23, 1938 Minor planet 1722 Goffin 1938 EG. Minor Planet discovered 1938 February 23 by E. Delporte at Ukkel, Be l-
gium. Named in honor of the Belgian amateur astronomer Edwin Goffin, who has made extensive computations involving minor
planet orbits. Goffin chased quite a few eclipses as well.
February 24, 0453 "Even the Sun appeared hideous, so that scarcely a third part of it gave light, I believe on account of such deeds
of wickedness and the shedding of innocent blood." Gregorius Turonensis Refers to solar eclipse of 24 February AD 453, when At-
tila the Hun was raiding Italy. Ref FE 01/01
February 24, 1938 Minor planet 1552 Bessel 1938 DE. Minor Planet discovered 1938, February 24 by Y. Vaïsälä at Turku. Named
in honor of the eminent German astronomer Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784-1846). (Ref. Sc 1999)
February 24, 1996 Launch of Polar, American satellite. Studied Solarwind in polar orbit around the Earth.
February 25, 1598 "There is a tradition that some persons in the north lost their way in the time of this eclipse, and perished in the
snow." Refers to the total solar eclipse of 25 February 1598. From: Maclaurin, Philosophical Transactions, vol xi, p193, 1737.
Quoted in UK Solar Eclipses from Year 1 by Williams.
February 26, 1786 Birth of Dominique Francois Jean Arago (1786-1853), French astronomer. Studied solar eclipse of 8 July 1842
and noted it exists of gas. (Ref. Rc 1999)
February 26, 1842 Birth of Camille Nicolas Flammarion in Montigny le Roi in Hauter Marne. He died in Juvsy sur Orge on 3 June
1925. Ref. The Bibliographical Dictionary of Scientists, edited by David Abbott, 1994.
February 26, 1878 Death of Angelo Secchi (1818-1878), Italian astronomer. Photographed solar eclipse of 18 July 1860. Studied
(Continued on page 7)
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the sun and sunspots. (Ref. Rc 1999)
February 26, 1979 Total Solar Eclipse in Pacific Northwest. Passes through parts of Washington, Oregon, Montana and Manitoba.
Observed total by G. Vandenbulcke (Gerard Deman?). Picture Bryan Brewer/Eclipse 1991 p. 37. See graph brightness from jet in
Total Eclipse's of the Sun/J. Zirker 1995 p. 71+72 and p. 121+125 on F corona and interplanetary dust.
February 27, 1897 Birth of Bernard Ferdinand Lyot in Paris, French astronomer. Studied polarization of moonlight en planets.
Later mainly Solar research. Constructed chronograph and the 'lyot-filter' or monochromatic polarizing filter.
February 27, 1906 Death of Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834-1906), American astronomer. Founded SAO (observatory), measured
the solar constant, studied aerodynamics. The Royal Society does also mention 22 February 1906. (Ref. Rc 1999)
February 29, -0356 (357 BC) Last total solar eclipse on February 29. This 5 minutes total solar eclipse started off in the Atlantic
(near the NE coast of South America), through Africa and ending in Asia. Partial solar eclipse on February 29, 128. It takes only 76
years before we have a next solar eclipse on this date, namely in 184. This is again a partial solar eclipse. This eclipse of 128 was
visible in South America and Africa. February 29, 0184 Partial solar eclipse on February 29. The eclipse of 184 was visible in
Europe, Eurasia and North Africa. February 29, 648 Annular eclipse on February 29 in the Antarctic and the coast of Australia.
This is 464 years after previous eclipse on February 29 in 184. February 29, 1188 Last solar eclipse on February 29. Between 0
and 3000, there are 6 solar eclipses on February 29. This eclipse was an annular eclipse, visible in Australia, Papua New Guinea
and Hawaii. It will be 1228 before there is another solar eclipse on February 29, namely in 2416.
February 29, 2416 Next solar eclipse on February 29. February 29, 2872 Last solar eclipse on February 29, before 3000. This par-
tial solar eclipse will be visible in Alaska and Siberia.
February 29, 1908 Dutch scientists produces for the first time heliu m. Ref. DD 3/99.
and ... keep those solar eclipse related messages coming ...
Best regards,
Patrick and Joanne
solareclipsewebpagesSENL200402btopenworld.com
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com
SECalender correction - Galilei
From: AlcovedbaseSENL200402aol.com To: solareclipsewebpagesSENL200402btopenworld.com Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004
Hi Patrick, I have one minor correction for one of the entries on Jan 8: Galileo's last name is spelled Galilei. Galilee is the French
version (francophone) of his name. Regards, Haldun I. Menali Boston, MA http://members.aol.com/astroalcove/index.html
SECalendar for January
From: Fraser Farrell To: eclipses Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 11:36:02
> January 01, 1386 New Years total solar eclipse in Europe. January 01, 1443 Partial solar eclipse on New Years day. January 01,
1489 Annular eclipse on New Years day. For Papua New Guinea was this eclipse visible on
2606 January 01 : Next total solar eclipse for Adelaide, Australia. The first total solar eclipse to pass over city centre since Ade-
laide's founding in 1836. Last TSE at Adelaide's location was 1802 March 04; therefore a 604-year eclipse "drought" broken only by
the annular eclipses of 1916 Jul 30, 2418 Feb 06, 2472 Mar 10, and several deep partials.
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Note to self. The 2606 TSE centreline passes south of Adelaide and within cycling distance of home. Duration ~3 minutes. Plan for -
huge- New Year's Eve party guest list.... ; -) cheers,
From: Fraser Farrell
> founding in 1836. Last TSE at Adelaide's location was 1802 March 04; therefore a 604-year eclipse "drought" broken only by the
annular eclipses
Another note to self: that should be -804- years..... cheers,
Binary death?
From: Tim Salusky To: solareclipsewebpagesSENL200402btopenworld.com Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 22:10:51
>From the SECalendar for January:
January 14, 1742 Death of Edmond Halley (1656-1742 or 1743) in Greenwich, British astronomer. Famous for comet Halley. Ob-
served the so called Bailys' beads before Francis Baily (1774-1844). Royal Astronomer Royal from 1720 till his death. The Royal
Society mentioned 14 January 1742 or 1743. Ref. Rc 1999. Born in Haggerton near London on 8 November 1656. Ref. The Biblio-
graphical Dictionary of Scientists, edited by David Abbott, 1994.
January 25, 1742 Edmund Halley, British astronomer died. During an eclipse in England, is the first to report the phenomenon later
known as Baily's Beads; also notes bright red prominences and the east-west asymmetry in the corona, which he attributes to an at-
mosphere on the Moon or Sun. Halley observed from London (John Flamsteed (1646-1719) observed from Greenwich). Halley also
probably draw the first eclipse map. Born in 1656.
Iran
picture
ice-
breaker
Volume 9, Issue 2 SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER Page 9
SEDates
SEC2004 Countdown
Dear All,
Only 7 months to go. The international Solar Eclipse Conference will take place in August. Places are limited and once all seats
sold out, there will be no vacancies.
See our webpages for all information about the conference, the venue and accommodation. If you still have questions, please feel
free dropping me a message of-line.
General WebPages
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/
SEC2004 WebPages
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/SEC2004.html
SEC2004 Preliminary Program
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/SEC2004Program.html
SEC2004 Cost
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/SEC2004FEES.html
SEC2004 Registration
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/SEC2004Registration.html
SEC2004 Menus
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/Menus.htm
SEC2004 Register form
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/RegisterForm.txt
SEC2004 Leaflet
http://solareclipsewebpages.users.btopenworld.com/SEC_files/Sec2004.pdf
Best regards,
Volume 9, Issue 2 SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER Page 10
SEScannings
Book "Eclipses of the Sun"
From: Bob Morris To: SE from LRM Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 13:50:29
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0837119820/starshopcom-wireless-20/102-6624522-3404911
There are used copies of this book by S.A. Mitchell on Amazon.
Trouble is there were numerous editions of this book between 1924 and 1951 and as I recall the earlier editions were the more in-
teresting.
University of Toronto, where I encountered this book, had several copies.
This is a book which should be read by every eclipse chaser since it gives a flavour of what eclipse chasing was about circa 1924
onwards. (Or earlier I think.) Bob Morris
Stunning book! SENL January Index
From: Bob Morris To: SE from Dear all, Please find herewith the Index of the January 2004 issue of the
L R M Solar Eclipse Newsletter (SENL). Beside the topic, the page number is
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2004 you.
I recently encountered the book The SENL can be downloaded free of charge. You only need Adobe Ac-
"Beyond: Visions of the Inter- robat Reader on your computer. For Adobe see http://www.adobe.com/
planetary Probes" by Benson at products/acrobat/readstep2.html
my local bookstore. ISBN 0- Dear all, Please find here with the Index of the January 2004 issue of the
8109-4531-2 $55 US Solar Eclipse Newsletter (SENL). Beside the topic, the page number is
listed. Please post your solar eclipse related contributions to us. Thank
The images in this book, espe- you.
cially those of Saturn, and of
Jupiter's moons in front of Jupi- The SENL can be downloaded free of charge. You only need Adobe Ac-
ter, are jaw-dropping. robat Reader on your computer. For Adobe see http://www.adobe.com/
products/acrobat/readstep2.html
There are mnay fold outs, includ-
ing of Saturn's rings, which seem .../...
almost beyond belief!
See the latest SENL and also the complete SENL Index since November
The book is reviewed in this 1996 at our Solar Eclipse WebPages at http://solareclipsewebpages.users.
month's Sky & Tel (p. 72-73) but btopenworld.com
for some reason the Saturn i -
m
ages are not mentioned. The SENL will be soon on the WebPages of Fred Espenak/NASA. See
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SENL/ and the index at http://
I've just ordered my copy at 30% www.mreclipse.com/SENL/SENLinde.htm with example: SENL0011.pdf
off from Amazon. http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SENL/SENL0011.pdf
Eclipse images? Since none have Comments and contributions are welcome at solareclipsewebpages-
been taken by interplanetary SENL200402btopenworld.com
probes, I don't think so. And ... keep those solar eclipse related messages coming ...
Bob Morris
Volume 9, Issue 2 SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER Page 11
SEScannings
SEC2004 Solar Eclipse Conference mitted)
Chris O'Byrne (Ireland): "A calculator and timer for eclipse day"
From: solareclipsewebpagesSENL200402btopenworld. John Parkinson (UK): "A Sideways Look Back at the 1999 Eclipse in
com To: SOLARECLIPSESSENL200402aula.com Date: the UK"
Sat, 10 Jan 2004 20:10:45 Jay Pasachoff (USA): "Solar Eclipse Science"
Vojtech Rusin (Slovakia) and Miloslav Druckmuller (Czech Repub-
Please remind to register for the international solar eclipse lic): "Image Processing"
conference we are organising next August. Number of Eckehard Schmidt (Germany): "Nuremberg - it´s history of solar
seats are limited. Please make sure you are on our atten- eclipses"
dees list! Glenn Schneider (USA): "EFLIGHT 2003 - The Umbra on Ice from
38,000 ft"
International Solar Eclipse Conference F. Richard Stephenson (UK): "Historical eclipses: then and now"
Peter Tiedt (South Africa): "Automated Eclipse Photography with
An international Solar Eclipse Conference 2004 Electronic Cable Release and Intel-based Computers"
(SEC2004) will be held on 2004 Aug 20-22 at Open Uni- Tom Van Flandern (USA): "View from the edge: The special phe-
versity, Milton Keynes, England. The main objective of