While skywatchers in many locations will be watching a lunar eclipse Wednesday night, this picture shows a fantastic view of a solar eclipse that occurred Oct
While skywatchers in many locations will be watching a lunar eclipse tonight, this picture shows a fantastic view of a solar eclipse that occurred Oct. 13, 2004.
A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon gets between Earth and the Sun, blocking
out part or all of the Sun from our vantagepoint.
On the island of Maui, Rob Ratkowski waited out a day of clouds and flash flood
warnings to get the shot. "During the best part of the eclipse a large cloud
blocked my view," he said.
But at the last moment, the eclipsed Sun dipped below the big cloud during
a squall offshore. While Ratkowski was disappointed in the overall viewing opportunities,
his wait was clearly worth it. Not only did the Sun have a bite taken out of
it, its light was distorted by the long travel through Earth's atmosphere owing
to its position on the horizon. For more about interesting tricks of light played
by the Sun, click here.
-- SPACE.com Staff
Credit & ©: Rob Ratkowski
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