Enjoy the Solar Eclipse event by protecting your EYES with our ECLIPSE GLASSES, certified "CE" and conform to the European Directive norms 89/686.
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OF JULY 11, 2010
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OF AUGUST 1st, 2008
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SODAP - SOBOMEX
SKY & SPACE DEPARTMENT
Manufacturer of eclipse glasses
3, Rue des Frères Lumière - B.P. 18095
67038 STRASBOURG CEDEX - FRANCE

Phone:  +33 (0) 390 207 850

Fax:      +33 (0) 390 207 855



   
THE AREA PASSED

GENERAL MAP OF THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF 1st AUGUST 2008
General map of the total eclipse of 1st august 2008
General map of the total eclipse of 1st august 2008
This solar eclipse is the FIFTH TOTAL ECLIPSE of the XXIst century.

It will be visible in partial form on three continents:
  North East of NORTH AMERICA – EUROPE and ASIA.

Its central band will be visible in TOTAL ECLIPSE form only in the Western North of CANADA – in the Western North of GREENLAND – on the island of Kvitøya in NORWAY – from North to South of RUSSIA (from Arkhangelsk island in north to the Altai Republic in the south) - the extreme East of the KAZAKHSTAN - West of MONGOLIA - to end in the North of CHINA close to Xi'An.

This TOTAL ECLIPSE will be visible in partial form in NEWFOUNDLAND, in SCANDINAVIA, in the BALTIC STATES, in WESTERN and CENTRAL EUROPE, in the BALKANS, in TURKEY, in RUSSIA, in CENTRAL ASIA, in EAST ASIA, in SOUTH ASIA, in SOUTH EAST ASIA and in INDIA.


Total solar eclipses, because of their rarity and the spectacle they offer, are all the more fascinating to observe.
But it is therefore all the more important to protect one's EYES, during all the various phases of a total eclipse. (See chapter PROTECT YOUR EYES)



THE COURSE OF THE PHENOMENON


TOTAL ECLIPSE: THE STARS OF THE SHOW
THE SUN
THE SUN
THE MOON
THE MOON
THE EARTH
THE EARTH
Click on pictures for information.

We have a SOLAR ECLIPSE when the EARTH passes in the cone of umbra or the cone of penumbra of the MOON. The SUN, the MOON and the EARTH are then practically aligned and this when the new MOON approaches.

If the EARTH crosses the axis of the cone of umbra of the MOON, we speak about TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.
There is TOTAL ECLIPSE, when the apparent diameter of the MOON is larger than the apparent diameter of the SUN. In the umbra zone called totality line, it is pitch dark, since the MOON masks the SUN completely.

The conical umbra is accompanied by a penumbra zone where a part of the SUN remains visible. The ECLIPSE is PARTIAL in this zone.
If the EARTH passes only in the cone of penumbra of the MOON we have a PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.


THE PHENOMENON

On the other side of the MOON in relation to the SUN, two zones can be distinguished:
• An UMBRA ZONE where it is completely dark, because the entire surface of the SUN is hidden:
  the ECLIPSE IS TOTAL.
  This zone is in the form of a tapering cone and it is the tip of this cone that will sweep across land.

• A PENUMBRA ZONE where part of the SUN remains visible and where the ECLIPSE is only PARTIAL.
  The rest of the country will be in this area.

The CORONA, the luminous outer atmosphere around the SUN, can only be observed when the entire solar disc is covered.
This is why TOTAL ECLIPSES OF THE SUN are rare and much sought-after phenomena.

Just before the TOTAL ECLIPSE, the luminous atmospheric ring around the SUN breaks into spots of light. This effect is caused by the final specks of sunlight shining through gaps between the lunar mountains.
Almost all the luminosity of the photosphere has disappeared and the corona shines like a pearly white ring, sometimes in an irregular shape, around the SUN.


The TOTAL ECLIPSE has now begun. The entire horizon may take on an orange or claret colour, similar to the colour of the sky after a sunset.
Stars and bright planets may be visible during a total eclipse.
The sun's corona may now be clearly visible. When the SUN is at the height of its activity the corona can appear as a board ring.

The sky darkens considerably and plants and animals react to the increase in darkness. Some flowers may close. Animals may behave as they do when night falls.
As the light fades more rapidly, the surroundings may start to look metallic-grey and shadows become better defined.
The temperature can also fall by several degrees.


ANIMATION OF THE TOTAL ECLIPSE


ANIMATION OF THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
OF THE 1st AUGUST 2008
Eclipse Glasses 2010