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Archive for 22/07/2009

A Solar Eclipse - By Jove!

Some 2 billion people across Asia have experienced the longest total eclipse of the sun in the 21st century. 

 solar-eclipse-22-july-2009.jpg

(Source: Lutfar Rahman Nirjhar - www.nirjhar.com )

The eclipse lasted 6.6 minutes and took place at 3.00am Greenwich meantime.  The exceptional duration was because the moon was just 3 hours away from its closest point to Earth in its orbit.  The length of the eclipse will not be surpassed until 30 years into the next century.  The clipse was the second of three to take place in a one month peiod. It was an amazing awe inspiring spectacle falling as it does within our 3 year Watch and taking place so close to the 40th anniversary of the first Apollo Lunar landing.  The moon is subject to much mythology and superstition in cultures the world over.  A full moon features prominiently in our tale at several key moments; at points of discovery and understanding.

The eclipse has also given scientists an opportunity to learn more about the sun.  For example, solar scientist Lucie Green, from University College London was aboard an Amercian cruise ship heading for the Japanese island of Iwo Jima to examine the waves in the corona. Well done Lucie! 

Jupiter also receives a mention in the novel - so its rather odd that almost to the day an amateur astronomer reported the discovery of a mysterious scar the size of the Earth near the pole of the gas giant. It has caught NASA scientists by surprise with an early conclusion that the planet was hit by a comet or asteroid. Such an event last took place 15 years ago when Shoemaker 59 crashed into the orb.  News of the impact has stunned the astronmy world. Jupiter also has its share of mythology with the Roman God Jupiter being in charge of cosmic justice. In Rome, in the courts of law people used to swear ‘By Jove’ to witness the oath. 

To match Reuters Life! JUPITER/ASTEROID

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