2023-10-20 18:12:24
On October 14, 2023, Americans had the chance to view an annular eclipse, different from total solar eclipses. Observed by NASA from space, new details have been revealed thanks to modern technology. This privileged viewing angle made it possible to follow the fiery shadow of the Moon as it crossed North America.
Solar eclipses, although common in astronomical history, remain notable events for sky observers. On October 14, 2023, an annular eclipse crossed the North American sky, providing a different spectacle from usual total eclipses.
NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCVR) captured the action from a new perspective: space. The image shows the Moon’s shadow crossing North America. This observation, beyond its spectacular aspect, has significant scientific implications.
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The phenomenon of the annular eclipse
This manifestation therefore differs from a total solar eclipse, where the Moon, being at an optimal distance from the Earth, completely obscures the Sun. However, during an annular eclipse, the Moon is at its apogee, that is, the point in its orbit farthest from Earth. In this configuration, although our natural satellite is positioned in front of the Sun, it does not completely cover it due to its reduced apparent size.
Thus, the bright edges of the Sun remain visible, forming a distinctive circle of light. This phenomenon creates a striking visual effect: a luminous ring of a red-orange hue, commonly known as a “ring of fire”. But it doesn’t produce the awesome darkness that most people associate with these events.
A spatial vision
While the terrestrial view of an eclipse already offers an impressive spectacle, the spatial perspective reveals new details and nuances. NASA relied on its DSCOVR observatory, dedicated to the monitoring and study of space phenomena.
The key instrument for this mission was the EPIC (Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera), designed to capture polychromatic images of the Earth. He immortalized the passage of the lunar shadow over the North American continent. Thanks to its strategic position at the Lagrange point L1, a place where the gravitational forces between the Earth and the Sun balance, the EPIC benefits from a stable and uninterrupted view of our planet.
It is in this context that, on October 14 at 4:58 p.m. (universal time), the instrument captured an image particularly striking: the clear and contrasting shadow of the Moon projecting over the Corpus Christi region, located on the southeast coast of Texas.
The Moon’s shadow cast on the Earth’s surface, seen on October 14, 2023. © EPIC/NASA (modified by Laurie Henry for Trust My Science)
The path of the eclipse
The eclipse’s path was mapped by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, across 48 states. The map integrates datasets from multiple missions. Images from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instruments on the Terra and Aqua satellites were the origin of the Blue Marble Next Generation composite used to represent the terrain.
Although the eclipse was partially visible throughout the United States, Mexico, and some countries in Central and South America, it was the path of “annularity” that offered the most impressive spectacle . It started in Oregon around 6:13 p.m. PST, although cloudy skies blocked the view for some observers. The shadow then moved southeast across Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, before passing over Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.
Path of the annular eclipse. © NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
Observers located in the center of this path were able to enjoy the eclipse for almost 4.5 minutes, while those located on the outskirts had only a few seconds to enjoy the spectacle. Observers outside the midline saw only a partial eclipse.
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The next annular solar eclipse visible from the United States will be on June 21, 2039. But a (simple) lunar eclipse is expected on October 28, visible in parts of Europe as well, as well as Asia, the Africa and Australia. The next major solar eclipse will take place on April 8 and will pass through Mexico, the United States and northeastern Canada.
VIDEO : Annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023. © NASA
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