Volume 6, Issue 3 SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER March 2001

SOLAR ECLIPSE NEWSLETTER

Solar Eclipse Mailing List
Dear Eclipse Chasers Another month on the mailing list has passed and Africa comes ever closer. We ourselves are already checking equipment and trying to practice filming the sun, when it decides to make an appearance. The messages over the month were interesting and varied. Ranging from how to film the eclipse, UFOs & the latest reports and information on Africa. There was a great idea of a reunion in Lusaka for anyone in the vicinity, the hunt is on for a location that can accommodate everyone, as it is expected that lots of people will be in the area, no surprises there! There are some stunning photos in this months edition, please check out the picture by Juan Carlos of the elusive green flash, and a picture we received from Gernot and Pascale who are on their expedition to the eclipse overland from Germany, be sure to look them up on the web site. Best regards Joanne
The Solar Eclipse Mailing List The Solar Eclipse Mailing List (SEML) is an electronic newsgroup dedicated to Solar Eclipses. Published by eclipse chaser Patrick Poitevin (patrick_poitevin@hotmail.com), it is a forum for discussing anything and everything about eclipses. Thanks to the voluntary efforts of Jan Van Gestel of Geel, Belgium, the Solar Eclipse Mailing List (listserver) has been in operation since 10 December 1997. This is the first mailing list devoted solely to topic of solar eclipses on the internet. You can send an e -mail message to the list server solareclipses@Aula.com, which will then forward your e-mail to all the subscribers on the list. Likewise, you'll receive e-mail messages that other subscribers send to the listserver. Only subscribers can send messages.

Inside this issue:

GENERAL TOPICS Solar Eclipse Calendar The first eclipse map Thanks Ancient Eclipses Eclipses and the sea March 2001 Sky & Telescope Item for sale DV & Eclipse Glorious Eclipses Saros/inex numbering system Einstein, Eddington, 1919 Astronomy & Mathematics Exhibition in Germany Copy of Delta T Metonic Cycle & Eclipses Magnitude of the Corona Negative V Slide Film Personal Satellite Solar Eclipse 1778 Solar Filters and Solarmax The first photographic eclipse UFO reports during eclipses Women Astronomer Starry Review Total Solar Eclipse 2002 Africa 2001 Measurements during eclipses Pregnancy during the eclipse 36 40
SUBSCRIBING TO THE SOLAR ECLIPSE MAILING LIST
T HE SOLAR ECLIPSE MAILING LIST IS MAINTAINED BY THE LIST OWNER PATRICK POIT EVIN AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF JAN VAN GESTEL HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: IN THE BODY OF THE MESMESSAGE TO listserv@Aula.com SUBSCRIBE SOLARECLIPSES name, country.
Annular Eclipse, Dec 14, 31
Expedition of Gernot & Pascale 42 Green Flash photo Juan Carlos 43 Who do you find on travels SENL February now online 57 53

Volume 6, Issue 3

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ECLIPSE CALENDAR

Please find herewith March's solar eclipse calendar. If you have remarks or additional items, please send me a message. If you are interested in the source, please let me know and I send you the list of the abbreviations. March 02, 1904 There are 3 eclipses in March 1904: 1904 Mar 02 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, 1904 Mar 17 Annular Solar Eclipse and 1904 Mar 31 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The next March with 3 eclipses is 2295: 2295 Mar 02 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, 2295 Mar 16 Annular Solar Eclipse and 2295 Mar 31 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. Ref. FE 6/00 March 02, 2910 Not before 2910 March 2 will the island of Tahiti see its first total solar eclipse since that of 1698 April 10. Ref. JM 06/1999. March 03, 1337 Johannes de Muris remarked that the eclipse occurred about 16 minutes earlier than expected from the Alfonsine tables (ref. PG 3/99). March 03, 1956 Death of Willem H. Keesom, Dutch physician. Researched on lower temperature whereas he brought helium in solid condition (1926). He discovered the two kind of helium (Helium I and II). In 1942 he wrote the book Helium. Born in 1876. Ref DD 3/99 March 03, 1959 Launch of Pioneer 4 (US). Passed Moon at 60.000km, first satellite in orbit around the Sun. Ref. DD 03/99. March 03, 1985 Death of Iosif S. Shklovskii, Russian astronomer. He studied the corona and proved a temperature of millions degrees. Born in 1916. Ref. DD 03/99. March 03, 1987 Pioneer 9 (US) stops, was a solar satellite. Ref. DD 3/99. March 03, 1990 Death of Charlotte E. M. Sitterly, American astronomer. End 20s, she worked together with Charles E. St. John and Harold Babcock at Mount Wilson Observatory on the study of the solar spectrum. She analyzed the lines in the spectrum of sunspots. Published books about solar spectra till she was 90 years old. Born in 1898. Ref. DD 3/99 March 04, -0180 (181 BC) The Empress Dowager died on 18 August 180BC. The eclipse and the Empress' reaction are described in detail in the of Shih-chi, a work composed some 150 years before Han-shu. This is clearly based on an eyewitness report (ref. PG 3/99). March 04, 1866 Sir Norman Lockyer started his spectroscopic observations of the Sun. He proved quite quick that sunspots were colder places. Ref. DD 3/99 March 04, 1923 Birth of Patrick Alfred Caldwell Moore. Parents Gertrude and Charles Caldwell Moore. Author or co-author of almost 200 books, compose 2 operas and host one of the longest running shows on television The Sky at Night (launch 26 April 1957) without a break. His first book was in 1952. He joined the BAA when he was 11 years old and the RAS in 1946. He observed many solar eclipses. (ref. A-S 03/98)

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From: Patrick Poitevin <patrick_poitevin@hotmail.com> To: SE Mailing List <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2001 7:03 PM Subject: [SE] Eclipse Reference: March 2001 Sky and Telescope Hi, Sky and Telescope, March 2001 has following Solar Eclipse related items: Letters: A Tale of Two March 7th Eclipses by Joe Rao (see also SENL latest issue for some same communications about it) Mission Update by Jonathan McDowell: Sun and solar-terrestrial relations spacecraft's Today's Science of the sun - part 2 by Carolus J. Schrijver and Alan M. Title Starspots by Mark A. Garlick Solar Images to the IMAX by Stephen P. Maran (see also latest SENL communications) Sky Wise: Jovian Skies by Jay Ryan Observers Notebook: a Christmas Partial Ec lipse by Gary Seronik Best regards, Patrick From: Patrick Poitevin <patrick_poitevin@hotmail.com> To: SE Mailing List <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 7:56 PM Subject: [SE] Reference: BAA Journal February 2001 Dear All, Please find herewith following solar eclipse related topics in the BAA Journal of February 2001. See webpage http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~baa and http://www.star.ucl.ac.uk/~hwm The Antwerp amateur/professional solar eclipse conference, October 2000 by Joanne Edmonds (pages 6 and 7 with several pictures). William John Macdonell and the development of astronomy in New South Wales by Wayne Orchiston (pages 16 and 17 about his solar eclipse observations and pages 17 to 19 about transits of Mercury and Venus). Keep those solar eclipse related messages coming. Best regards, Patrick
From: Dale Ireland <direland@drdale.com> Cc: Solar Eclipse List <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM>; Videoastro <videoastro@egroups.com Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 10:33 PM Subject: [SE] cheap monitor Someone made a post about the cheap monitors available at Circuit City stores. I checked it out, pretty good deal for $24.95 !! It will give you a much better way to check your video recording in real time vs the camcorder viewfinder. It is by "Action" and it has audio video input and monitor mode, runs on 12v or 12v via an included AC adapter or it holds 10 D cell batteries. also ahs a charging input in case you want to use rechargeable batteries. Pretty good deal for $24.95, and you can watch regular broadcast television if it is cloudy. They also have a color model for $149. Dale

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From: Massimiliano Lattanzi <m.lattanzi@unesco.org> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 9:19 AM Subject: [SE] DV and Eclipse (T-conv) Hi all, Is there anybody planning to film the eclipse with DV cameras? I would be keen in sharing some points of view and techniques. I shall be using a Sony TRV-900 and was wandering whether someone has a specific experience on exposure times to use. Furthermore, has anybody experience with the Sony Teleconverter 2x VCL-R 2052? With a Kenko equivalent? With a longer teleconverter (e.g. 3x)? Thank you in advance Max From: <Jay.M.Pas achoff@williams.edu> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 1:32 PM Subject: [SE] DV and Eclipse (Tconv) We used a Canon XL-1 (full size) and a Canon Elura (small size) to m ake DV movies of the 1999 eclipse from Romania and are happy with the results. We did not use a teleconverter. We found that the built-in zooms were enough. Also, adding more glass surfaces can lead to internal reflections. It is important to turn off all automatic functions before the eclipse. We hope to again make DV movies in Zambia. Jay Pasachoff From: Eiichi Wada <ewada@nikkeibp.co.jp> Hi Max, As you might know, we LIVE! ECLIPSE took lots of eclipses image by video camera. Exposure time depends on magnitude of eclipse. So we always adjust it watching a moniter screen. If you use file camera, you cannot see the result until development. But when you use video camera, you can check it at realtime:-) > Furthermore, has anybody experience with the Sony Teleconverter 2x VCL-R 2052? With a Kenko equivalent? With a longer teleconverter (e.g. 3x)? I think you should use Sony's telconverter. If you use 3rd vender's teleconverter, you may not see the edge of picture. Longer teleconverter is not available. Eiichi Wada, LIVE! ECLIPSE From: Massimiliano Lattanzi <m.lattanzi@unesco.org> Jay, What zoom were you using (and its equivalent focal

This conference will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of recent work on the history of astronomy and mathematics in the Ancient Near East. In addition to technical discussions of the methods of the ancient science, sessions of the conference will be devoted to exploring the relationship between astronomy and celestial divination, the role of astronomy in establishing absolute chronologies, and the legacy of Ancient Near Eastern science in neighbouring cultures. For further information please contact one of the following: John Steele, Department of Physics, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, Tel: 0191-3742139, Email: j.m.steele@durham.ac.uk Annette Imhausen, Dibner Institute, 38 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA, Email: aimhausen@dibinst. mit.edu Christopher Walker, Department of the Ancient Near East, The British Museum, London, WC1B 3DG, Tel: 02073238382, Email: c.walker@british-museum.ac.uk Or visit the conference web site: http://star-www.dur.ac.uk/ ~jms/UOS/Preview/index.html

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From: Daniel Fischer <dfischer@astro.uni-bonn.de> To: <HASTRO@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU>; <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM>; <iran2000@egroups.com>; <mepco-list@egroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 12:18 PM Subject: [SE] The beginnings of astrophotography: an exhib ition in Germany Here is a little review of a most amazing exhibition still running in Stuttgart, Germany, which is of major interest to astronomy historians AND to eclipse enthusiasts (and almost every amateur astronomer). Should you come to within 500 kilometers of Stuttgart within the next month, there is no excuse not going there. Daniel Fischer The beginnings of astrophotography: an exhibition in Germany It can still be seen in the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany, until March 11: "Dans le champ des etoiles - Les photographes et le ciel" or "Sonne, Mond und Sterne - Himmelsphotographien 1850-2000", a unique French show that contrasts modern art with pioneering celestial photography in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The latter is represented by a large number of rare original prints, remarkably well preserved - and with a technical a n d aesthetical power that blasts away nearly all of the contemporary attempts at grasping the Universe with photographic or related art forms. Unfortunately quite a number of the 19th century artefacts that were on display at the musee d'Orsay in Paris last year are missing in the Stuttgart version (but can still be seen in the lavishly illustrated catalog, available only in French); nonetheless the exhibit is definitely worth a visit for any amateur astronomer and sky photographer. And in particular for any eclipse enthusiast, as the early targets of photography in the sky were the Sun, the Moon and eclipses of both of them. The first lunar photograph shown is from 1849, with rapid progress in quality within the next few years, the first partial solar and lunar eclipse images date from 1851 (July 28) and 1856, respectively - and the first sequence of a total solar eclipse was o btained in Spain on July 18, 1860. These stunning pictures - also for sale at the box office as a nice bookmarker - began to convince astronomers that photography would soon replace drawing at the eyepiece as the recording technique of choice. With the much fainter Deep Sky, that would take a few decades longer, but already in 1900 German astrophotographer Max Wolf managed to overexpose the North America Nebula and the Milky Way in his image of Cygnus! Unfortunately the captions with most exhibits are poor, lacking all information about the optics employed, and there are some bizarre mistakes. But they cannot distract from the intrinsic value of this amazing exhibition, drawn from 30 collections in 6 countries: Even if you have seen some of the pioneering photographs in books, it's a v e r y different experience to see them as real prints. (Review by D. Fischer) Some information on the exhibit and the Staatsgalerie is at www.staatsgalerie.de While you're there, it's also worth to vis it a small but nicely arranged exhibition on meteorites by Dieter Heinlein - www. meteorites.de - at the nearby planetarium, planetarium.stuttgart.de

From: Jean Meeus <JMeeus@compuserve.com> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 9:23 AM Subject: : Delta T On 2001 January 1 the value of Delta T was 64.09 seconds. The yearly increase of Delta T continues to decrease : 2000 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 1 Jean Meeus 63.98 seconds 63.99 seconds 64.01 seconds 64.04 seconds 64.07 seconds 64.09 seconds 0.30 sec larger than on 1999 Aug 1 0.30 sec larger than on 1999 Sep 1 0.30 sec larger than on 1999 Oct 1 0.29 sec larger than on 1999 Nov 1 0.28 sec larger than on 1999 Dec 1 0.26 sec larger than on 2000 Jan 1

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From: Victor Reijs <victor. reijs@MYSELF.COM> To: < H A S T R O- L @ W V N V M. W V N E T. EDU> Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 1:02 PM Subject: Metonic cycle Hello all of you, Who has the original text of the Metonic cycle definition? I was wondering if Meton found his relation 'between 19 tropical years and 235 synodic month' (and this leads to a relation with 254 sideral months) or 'between 235 synodic months and 254 sidereal months' (and this leads to a relation with 19 tropical years). http:// geniet.mypage.org/moonfluct.htm Thanks for your input. All the best, Vic tor From: Thomas Schmidt <schmidt@HOKI.IBP.FHG.DE> There does not seem to be much of an 'original text'. The following is a quote from Hugh Thurston: "Early Astronomy", Springer 1994, p. 111, to give some context of what is known about Meton: "Just after 450 B.C. the Greeks began to write astronomical and meteorological diaries called parapegmata (and continued to write them for at least three hundred years) [81]. The early parapegmata mention two a stronomers by name, Meton and Euctemon. We have only tantalizing frag ments about these two pioneers. They made observations in Thrace, Macedonia, the Cyclades islands, and Athens; and their pupils determined the date of the summer solstice in 432 B.C. [82]. They used the signs of the zodiac to describe positions on the ecliptic. Meton suggested that a period of 19 years, which contains almost exactly a whole number (235) of months, could be used to correlate the solar and lunar calendars [83]." [81] Parapegmata: details in Pauly's Real-Encyclopaedie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaften. [82] Meton and Euctemon's observations: Ptolemy, Phaseis, 67.2. [83] 19-year period: Geminus, Isagoge, Chapter VIII. Maybe the last reference could give you some details on what exactly Meton found.

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From: Alejandra Len <leonale@racsa.co.cr> Dear Mr. Prof J R Huddle: Thank you very much for reply and your explanation about the service through a library. I also understand the limitations of different systems regarding accents in other languages, even newer versions have problems. I will try to get a copy of the article and if I fail I will get back in touch with you in 2 weeks. thank you again, Alejandra Len Castell From: Daniel Fischer <dfischer@astro.uni-bonn.de> In the case of Astronomy & Geophysics this in already the case: At http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/ member/institutions/issuelist.asp?journal=aag everyone can access the abstracts (which is very short for the paper in question, though) - and if you log in from a university account that has a subscription, you can also access the full art icles. The machine I'm writing from does have one; try http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/Journals/member/institutions/ processpaid.asp?contentid=aag.2001.1&filetype=articles&article=89977 and see if you can get the full paper or not. It's fun to read, but I may already have found a problem with it: The prints of the de la Rue pictures shown in Stuttgart must have been made from more than two different plates obtained during totality (judging from the appearance of the chromosphere) while both the A&G paper and the exhibition catalog say that de la Rue took just two totality images. The original 1860 plates seem to be lost or at least inaccessible, unfortunately. Daniel
From: Brian Garrett <mgy1912@home.com> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA. COM> Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 8:19 AM Subject: [SE] UFO reports during 1991 eclipse? Greetings umbraphiles, So I come home from work, feeling in an "X-Files" sort of mood, and I turn on the television to the Sci-Fi channel, where they're showing yet another "documentary" on UFOs. Nothing remarkable shows up for the first n minutes, and then suddenly they're showing crowds of people in Mexico during the 1991 TSE, videotaping not only the eclipse, but a bright object which is claimed to be a UFO. The object they're showing appears (in the craftily-edited video) to be at least as bright as Jupiter and possibly even as bright as Venus, and from what was visible in the background it appeared that the object was visible below and to the right of the eclipsed Sun, at a distance of about 30 degrees. The object was, according to the narration, observed at various locations (thus ruling out an air/space craft, but the narrators don't tell you that, of course) throughout the zone of totality, and *only* during or just before totality. Was Venus and/or Jupiter visible during the 1991 eclipse, and if so were either of them at that kind of angular distance from the Sun? Also, did anybody hear any reports at the time that a UFO was supposedly seen, or hear anyone nearby remarking on anything unusual (besides the eclipse and stars visible in the daytime sky, I mean :-)) during totality? In one of the video clips, they show the object appear to be moving and leaving something like a trail of heated air behind it, thus suggesting an airplane at relatively low altitude. But the object was supposedly observed at widely separated locations, so while there *could* have been a plane (especially one heading out for the specific purpose of eclipse chasing), I'm thinking that the object in question was a planet. Brian Garrett

From: <KCStarguy@aol.com> To: <eclipse@hydra.carleton.ca> Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2001 7:07 PM Subject: [eclipse] starry revi e w Here is my latest review of Starry Night software which I use to simulate eclipses. The software helped me locate and photograph comet McNaught- Hartley in December http://members.aol.com/ kcstarguy/blacksun/cometpics.htm but most recently few days ago helped me locate, hunt down and photograph my first asteroid Phaedra. (see the pic at http://members.aol.com/kcstarguy/blacksun/ asteroidpics.htm (feel free to use the review for other sites, listserves etc but please post my byline and info as well). question, let me know Dr. Eric Flescher (KCStarguy@aol.com) - webmaster Eric's Black Sun Eclipse website - http://members.aol.com/kcstarguy/blacksun/ eclipse.htm -editor- Black Sun eclipse newsletter (eclipse and a stronomy news etc- to subscribe send email to blacksunnews subscribe@egroups.com Eclipse Train Land cruise June 2001- Host/ presenter- http://mayhugh.com/train/train.htm Starry Night by SPACE.com Canada, Inc. 284 Richmond Street East Toronto Ontario, CANADA, M5A 1P4 (416) 410-0259 (Phone) (416) 410-0359 (Fax) (800) 252-5417 (Orders) reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher

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COSTA RICA 2001
From: Alejandra Len <leonale@racsa.co.cr> To: SOLARECLIPSE <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 2:22 AM Subject: [SE] Annular Eclipse, Dec 14, 2001 Annular Eclipse, Dec 14, 2001
Greetings from Costa Rica! Our non profit organization is preparing for the Annular Eclipse December 14th, 2001 that will be visible mostly in Northern Costa Rica and the south eastern side of Nicaragua. We will be preparing a site with information in Spanish and English. For the moment, we have a page in Spanish with a map in our web site: http://cientec.or.cr/ astronomia.html#eclipse2001 If anyone is interested in coming to Costa Rica for this event, we can provide support and information. We will be expanding the Annular Eclipse section soon. More soon, Alejandra Alejandra Len Castell Executive Director Fundacin CIENTEC http://www.cientec.or.cr Tel:(506) 233-7701, Fax:(506) 255-2192 P.O.Box 8536-1000, San Jos, Costa Rica

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TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE DEC 4TH 2002
From: Eric Pauer <pauer@bit-net.com> To: Solar Eclipse Mailing List <solareclipses@aula.com> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 5:45 PM Subject: [SE] 4 Dec 2002 - Total Solar Eclipse Cruise For those planning ahead, Ted Pedas and Royal Olympic today have announced an "African Eclipse Cruise - Voyage to Darkness to intercept the solar eclipse at sea on December 4, 2002." http://www.nauticom.net/www/planet/files/jun21ROC.html As some my remember, they cancelled their planned cruise for the 2001 total eclipse of the sun. Eric Pauer - pauer@bitnet.com - http://www.bit-net.com/~pauer rom: <JohnLX200@aol.com> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@aula.com> The 2001 page started showing the 2002 content about a month ago. Sorry I forgot to post it to the list. Maybe I was paranoid someone would grab my first-choice cabin ;-) I was told I got the first cabin confirmed on the cruise, when Royal Olympic accepted an $1800 deposit from my travel agent on January 10 or 11. Anyone on the list who is putting a deposit on the cruise, is welcome to privately email me for advice in selecting a cabin. I spent hours poring over the deck plans of both the Olympic Explorer and its sister ship the Olympic Voyager. The cabin numbers are almost but not quite identical on the two, so be sure to use the right deck plan. Also, the deck plans on the Royal Olympic site aren't of high enough resolution to read all cabin numbers accurately. I recommend the higher-resolution plans on www.icruise.com despite them having the decks themselves mislabeled with the order of decks from top to bottom reversed, at least as of a month ago. I used Roy Mayhugh at mayhugh.com to book it for 4 reasons: 1. He has a low-price guarantee. I hope icruise.com or someone advertises a few rooms in my cabin category at a very low price at some point between now and 12/2002. 2. He specializes in eclipses and is very pleasant and competent. You'd think I'd be angry because his 2001 trip which I was booked on was canceled and replaced with one I didn't want to be on. To the contrary, I'm glad he personally made 2 trips to Africa to check out the arrangements and found the trip unacceptable, before winding up on it. He also spent an hour or two giving me very sound advice on how to get out of a difficult situation which I found myself in partway through rebooking myself on a new trip, completely independent of him. His advice worked. 3. My deposit refund from the canceled 2001 Kafue trip was on its way to him from Africa, and he agreed to immediately send Royal Olympic the money without any need for the refund to arrive and clear, or for me to send more money. 4. I had been in daily contact with him regarding my own logistics in replacing the 2001 trip, at the same time when he'd been in daily contact with Ted Pedas and Royal Olympic trying to get them to open up the cruise for booking and/or announce prices. I haven't heard firm prices yet, but the cruise is open for booking, and I'm sure it was partly due to his persistence in trying to get them to accept my money. It was tempting to do 2 eclipses in a row on land, but I decided a cruise might be much easier to bring family members on, and probably more comfortable near the summer solstice down there. The cruise bookings are 100% refundable without penalty until quite late, so the land option is still open if I really like what I see on land in 2001 and want to try another safari. I hope to see many of you on the cruise in 2002. John Hopper Ted Pedas' 1973 African Eclipse Cruise (P&O: Canberra) 1994 Annular, Mt. Chocorua, NH USA MAPUG gathering, Aruba 1998 USA Eclipse Flight 1999 International Solar Eclipse Conference, Antwerp 2000 Kafue Park 2001, Karibu Safaris

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(www.karibu.co.za) Ted Pedas' 2002 African Eclipse Cruise (Royal Olympic: Olympic Explorer) 2003 Air? 2005 Cruise? 2006 Turkey? 2008 Air at sunrise over Canada, or on land in Asia? 2009 Cruise at max point of big one, or China? 2017 Can't wait 2024 Can't wait 2027 Of course 2045 If I retire to FL, you can bet it will be in the path of this big, perhaps final one for me. 2079 Advances in medical science required to see this from my current home. From: Francis Murphy <fxmurphy@voicenet.com> How much is the total package for one person?? Thanks Francis Murphy
From: Jeff Batten <jeff.batten@csun.edu> To: <solaRECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 5:58 PM Subject: [SE] 2002 TSE in Australia Hello, Does anyone know the approximate circumstances of the Dec 4, 2002 Eclipse as viewed in Australia. Elevation of the Sun? Duration? Interesting places to view the eclipse? Weather Prospects? Thanks Jeff From: Daniel Fischer <dfis cher@astro.uni-bonn.de> There seems to be one overwhelming trend: The farther inland you go, the lower the Sun will be and the shorter the eclipse - but the weather prospects get much better. The actual chance of seeing the eclipse is probably very hard to calculate as the line of sight will encounter significantly more cloud as if the Sun were overhead. It's still worth trying, IMHO: We went to La Jolla in 1992 to see the annular eclipse a few arc minutes over the horizon with a perfect view. There I also learned how much a) atmospheric refraction and b) your own elevation above sea level help in cases like this: Without both effects we would have seen only half of the annular phase before sunset, but in reality we got the see the full show, up to 3rd contact. Daniel From: Olivier Staiger <olivier.staiger@span.ch> > >Does anyone know the approximate circumstances of the Dec 4, 2002 Eclipse as viewed in Australia. In two words: near sunset. I have compiled some info / links / animation on http://eclipse.span.ch/2002.htm (bottom). The link to the Aussie site is no more working, I'll have to see if I can find it again (it had a good , detailed map) > >Elevation of the Sun? Depending on location, from 8 to 0 (sunset) > >Duration? Totality: about 30 seconds Flight Geneva - Adelaide: about 24 hours :-) > >Interesting places to view the eclipse?

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in the sky. (just kidding :-) City of Ceduna. Or the Outback desert. Or on the web, on live webcast (just kidding, again, of course :-) > >Weather Prospects? dunno. But I suggest you check out the weather situation on various weather sites coming early December 2001, that could give you an idea on what the weather may look like on a December 4. And I guess much more information will become available after next June 21 event. Fred ? best regards, Klipsi From: Olivier Staiger <olivier.staiger@span.ch> found the map again, on the site of the Astronomical Society of Southern Australia. go http://www.assa.org.au/observing/ eclipse2002/images/2002ec2.gif From: Assoc Prof J R Huddle <huddle@usna.edu> Surf Fred Espenak's web site: http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html If you don't find it right off, point your browser at: http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2002.html to get info about eclipses in 2002. Scan about half-way down that page to the section about this eclipse, and look for the text, "Path coordinates and centre line circumstances are presented in Table 1." or, right underneath that, "Local circumstances for cities throughout the path are given in Table 2." Tables 1 & 2 are hyperlinked. For all new guys, Fred's NASA web site is one of the favorites of the members of this eclipse list. You can get there from his private (ie, non-government) site, the URL of which ie easy enough to get if you ask Yahoo! (or other search engine) to search for "Mr. Eclipse", as Fred is affectionately known. Surf this site; you'll see what I mean.and you'll want to bookmark it. Best, Jim Huddle From Jean Meeus Total Solar Eclipse of 2002 December 4 CENTRAL LINE Because some people asked for information, here are data about the path of the total eclipse in Australia. First column : geographical longitude, negative EAST from Greenwich! Second column : geographical latitude in degrees and DECIMALS (NOT minutes and seconds) Third column : Universal Time of central phase on central line Fourth column : altitude of Sun's center above horizon, in degrees Fifth column : duration of the total phase in seconds (calculated by considering a 'mean' lunar limb) Last column : width of the path in kilometers LONGITUDE LATITUDE h m s UT sec 10.27 9.28 ALT. km 34.7 T 33.4 T 38 37

From: John Leppert <johnleppert@peoplepc.com> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 10:13 PM Subject: [SE].Cancellation insurance. Can someone point me towards a reputable company for purchasing trip cancellation insurance and trip medical insurance for the Zimbabwe/Zambia solar eclipse in June? John Leppert Bismarck ND From: Vic & Jen Winter, ICSTARS Inc. John, For this program recommend one of two trip cancellation / medical insurance companies. Med-Trip Plus offers a very reasonable plan TravelGuard has one that's slightly higher, but is also ok. These two are the only ones I know of that offer protection in the event of tour operator default. If you get to Zimbabwe and your tour operator has disappeared (with your money) then you want to be covered. Med-Trip is one of the least expensive and has a much better evacuation policy also. They cover up to $500,000 to get you out and home if something goes wrong. This can get costly in a place like this. - - Their toll-free medical and local doctors networks arent' bad either. M.T. covers pre-existing medical conditions always (well, unless you're terminal) but you have to buy it before you make your last trip payment. Travel Guard offers coverage for pre-existing, if you buy it within 7 days of your initial reservation. I can't tell you how much it will run without knowing the cost of your trip. If you want to email me directly, I may even be able to get you a cut rate on that. (unfortunately, I don't know of any who sell insurance in the event that you're clouded out) clear skies! Jen -
Green Flash by Juan Carlos Casado - 2000 May 7

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From: Olivier Staiger <olivier. staiger@span.ch> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA. COM> Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 9:46 PM Subject: [SE] cheap airfare to Lusaka yo ! I just bought my KLM /Kenyan Airways ticket to Lusaka. Got a good rate. Learned an interesting detail: "high season" starts June 15. I fly June 14, thus still got the lower season rate :-)
A Green Flash from the Sun, Credit & Copyright: Juan Carlos Casado Explanation: Many think it is just a myth. Others think it is true but its cause isn't known. Adventurers pride themselves on having seen it. It's a green flash from the Sun. The truth is the green flash does exist and its cause is well understood. Just as the setting Sun disappears completely from view, a last glimmer appears startlingly green. The effect is typically visible only from locations with a low, distant horizon, and lasts just a few seconds. A green flash is also visible for a rising Sun, but takes better timing to spot. A slight variant of this was caught in the above photograph, where much of the Sun was still visible, but the very top appeared momentarily green. The Sun itself does not turn partly green, the effect is caused by layers of the Earth's atmosphere acting like a prism.

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From: hilde & werner <antares@freegates.be> To: SOLARECLIPSE <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 9:40 PM Subject: [SE]

20 day eclipse safari

Dear Eclipschasers, This Wednesday, 14 february, at 20.00h, there is aan info session about a 20 -day eclipse/safari adventure through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia at the popular observatory Urania, Mattheessenstraat 60, 2540 Hove, Belgium. More info on http://www.urania.be or at mobile +32.475.29.11.59 Clear skies! Werner Hamelinck From: Don Fleming <DFleming@epsb.edmonton.ab.ca> To: <eclipse@hydra.carleton.ca> Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 9:14 PM Subject: [eclipse] Solar Eclipse Safari Anyone looking for a relatively low priced safari to view the 2001 solar eclipse in Zimbabwe may find the following information of interest. Solar Eclipse Safari Zimbabwe, Africa June 21, 2001 Experience one of the world's most unique vacations. Join Tsoro Safaris in the heart of unspoiled Africa for the wonder and magic of a total eclipse of the sun. On June 21, 2001, the moon will move in front of the sun creating a narrow strip of total darkness across Africa. Early in the afternoon, the shadow of the moon will sweep in from the Atlantic Ocean, across the rugged landscapes of Angola and Zambia and plunge more than 200 kilometers of the mysterious Zambezi river into total darkness. During the approximately three and one half minutes of the total eclipse, stars and planets will appear and tiny rainbows will dance about the ground. The black circle of the moon will be surrounded by a dazzling halo of solar flares and the horizon in every direction will be bathed in the vibrant hues of this magical mid -day sunset. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Tsoro Safaris, in cooperation with long-time eclipse chaser Don Fleming, have designed a truly amazing itinerary of events for your pleasure. You will travel leisurely down the Zambezi in sturdy Canadian-style canoes viewing the wildlife of Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - home to thousands of elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos and antelope. In addition to shore-line canoeing, you will explore this wild paradise on guided walks and game drives. Experienced, armed guides ensure your safety at all times. Comfortable accommodation and first-class catering is provided in tented camps on islands and mid-river sand banks. You'll fall asleep at night in the midst of the exotic sounds of the tropical bush. Space is limited. Call today t reserve your place on this incredible tour. Reservations and payment may be made o through: CANWEST TRAVEL TSORO SAFARIS Ph. 263-61-2426 Call toll-free 1- 800-565-8598 (403) 340-8802 Ph. 011-263-61-2925 Fax: (403) 309-3499 Fax: 011-

Email: canwest.travel@home.com Email: tsoro@zol.co.zw www.envirotours.com/canwest www.tsoro.co.zw Tsoro Safaris Tsoro Safaris has been conducting tours of the Zambezi River and Mana Pools National Park since 1994. Owned and operated by local, professional safari guides, Tsoro is one of only a few, select companies allowed to operate river and land safaris in the Zambezi Valley. More information on Tsoro Safaris may be found at www.tsoro.co.zw or at www.safarizimbabwe.com Don Fleming Don Fleming has been following eclipses since 1979. His enjoyment of this rare and wonderful event has taken him to Mongolia, Bolivia, Turkey, Mexico, Aruba and Saskatchewan. When he is not chasing eclipses he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Edmonton Public Schools. His knowledge of eclipses is in -depth and practical. A writer and teacher by profession, he holds a Masters degree in Communications.

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Itinerary Day One: June 12 Meet in Kariba, Zimbabwe. Overnight Kariba (Hotels will cost from $60/ person and up and should be booked well in advance through Tsoro Safaris. Day Two: June 13 Transport by four-wheel drive to canoe launch site on the Zambezi river at Chirundu. Briefing and orientation. Leisurely canoeing and wildlife viewing. Overnight mid-river on Mongwe Island. Day Three: June 14 Canoeing entering the southern border of Mana Pools National Park. Overnight on Lone Acacia Island. Eclipse information and presentation. Day Four: June 15 Exploring the Mana Pools shoreline of the Zambezi, game viewing. Overnight on Trichlea Island. Day Five: June 16 Canoe to camping spot in Mana Pools National Park. Walking safari or game drive till sunset. Day Six: June 17 Game drive in four-wheel drive vehicles or walking safari in UNESCO World Heritage Park Day Seven: June 18 Game drive or walking safari with sunset drive to waterholes to view wildlife. Day Eight: June 19 Return to river and continue canoe safari. Overnight Nyanatusi Island. Day Nine: June 20 Canoe safari. Overnight G. Camp Island. Final preparations and information session in preparation for eclipse. Day Ten: June 21 Eclipse Day!!! To centerline by 10:00 a.m. Eclipse at approx.1:12 p.m. Prepare to be dazzled! Overnight at Chewore camp. Day Eleven: June 22 Canoe safari through Mapta Gorge. Overnight at camp at the end of the gorge. Day Twelve: June 23 Arrive Kanyemba. Day Thirteen: June 24 Transport to Kariba. Optional flight to Victoria Falls. Tour Price: Kariba to Kanyemba and return (Thirteen days/twelve nights) $1500 USD Individual safaris within the path of totality are also available. a) Chirundu to Mana Pools: June 20-23 $500 USD (four days/three nights) b) Mana Pools to Kanyemba: June 19-24 $750 USD (six days/five nights) c) Mana Pools land safari: June 19-22 $650 USD (four days/3 nights) Note: Of these three options, only the Mana Pools to Kanyemba safari will be at the center line on eclipse day. Inclusions * All ground transportation and transfers as per itinerary * Safari camps on a twin share basis * All camping gear * All meals, drinking water, soft drinks and wine * Professional, well-trained guides with extensive knowledge of wildlife and local area * Daily game activities (walking safaris, canoe safaris, game drives) * All park and reserve fees * Complete safari tour information package * Complete eclipse information package and instruction including eclipse viewing eye protection Exclusions * Items of a personal nature * Accommodations Harare and Kariba * Transfers between Harare and Kariba * Gratuities to local camp staff * Optional tours and/or flights to/from Harare and Victoria falls For further information contact: CANWEST TRAVEL TSORO SAFARIS Ph. (403) 340-8802 Ph. 011-263-61-2925 Fax: (403) 309-3499 Fax: 011-263-61-2426 Call toll-free 1- 800-565-8598 Email: canwest.travel@home.com Email: tsoro@zol.co.zw www.envirotours.com/canwest www.tsoro.co.zw

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same foolish actions. Camping in a so called "empty" country in a light tent could mean the tent being visited at night by lion or some other wild "nasty." You could also run out of water and would be well advised not to drink from the local stream, river or waterhole which could easily be infected with bilharzia or cholera. Even a few monkeys will steal your rucksac and open it to find anything to eat. Other more advanced predators (humans?) will be happy to beat your brains out with a large iron bar if they think you have more than $5.00 on you. I assure you there will be no clean water running from pipes. How well do you get on with crocodiles? Admittedly, if you need a doctor, there may be one within 300 or 400 miles - if you can walk that far! All these places are perfectly safe, so long as you stick to being in a reasonable sized party and do as you are told by an experienced guide. If one vehicle breaks down, there will be others to back up. Mobile phones usually have no coverage, so radios are better - but take a GPS so you know where you are and can inform helpers if necessary. It is all very easy so long as you have seen a little of Africa before and are aware of the numerous possible problems. When did you last fix a flat tyre? I mean FIX it, not take it somewhere to be fixed. How do you lift the vehicle up to change the wheel when it is sitting in six inches of soft mud? Are you beginning to get the idea of why someone with experience is needed? All the easy jobs at home take on a very different appearance when stuck in the bush 150 miles from nowhere. What if your vehicle runs a big-end bearing (on the crankshaft). or even just the fanbelt snaps and you haven't got a spare? Can you fix them? It really is not so simple as you might think. Cliff Turk From: Madden.G <iluvelx@netacc.net> I think we are getting off topic here. The issue is not whether these countries are wonderful, humanitarian democracies, but whether the risk of placing one's self in a particular place is worth the known, inherent risks associated with it for the opportunity to see a TSE. I'm not going to Jim Huddle and others (including Fred Espenak) have commented on their recent trips to the area. Based on their comments and those of others I am satisfied that the reward is worth the risk. I accept that something bad - even tragic - may happen. That's life. I took those

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http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Zambia http://www.state.gov/www/global/ human_rights/1999_hrp_report/zambia.html http:/ /www.hrw.org/hrw/worldreport99/africa/ zambia.html http://www.travel.state.gov/zambia.html http://www.unhcr.ch/world/afri/zambia.htm http://allafrica.com/stories/200101040116.html http://www.state.gov/www/global/ human_rights/1999_hrp_report/zambia.html Jeff Batten From: Vic & Jen <icstars@icstars.com> Winter, ICSTARS Inc.
>What is it that is so dangerous about these countries? I, for one, am not worried. Yes, but there aren't recent reports of campers in western cities being EATEN by animals. These are a few of the reports from the last year. There are many more. http://allafrica.com/stories/199808050141.html http:/ /www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et? ac=000133745949937&rtmo=qxqsuRx9&atmo=999 99999&pg=/et/00/12/13/wbul13.html#go6 http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/et? ac=000133745949937&rtmo=gjk7Zflu&atmo=9999 9999&pg=/et/00/11/13/wbul13.html#go5 Lest we forget the 11 year-old Baltimore boy EATEN on Safari in August 2000, at the same camp a driver was attacked at night by an alligator in November. http://www.sabc.co.za/units/chanafr/ news/000810.html Take precautions, be AWARE and be CAREFULL. jen From: Peter Tiedt <rigel@stars.co.za> A word from closer to the action. All the countries (with the exception of Angola - where i am not qaulified to make a comment) are pretty safe. All you need is common sense, and to stay alert. Don't allow yourself to get into a possibly dangerous situation, just as you would in the Red Light District of any European city, the Bronx or any of a dozen other locations worldwide. Peter Tiedt From: Cliff Turk <cliffturk@yebo.co.za> Hi Scott and anyone else who is considering the
bag stolen from under my arm by a typical pro m otorcycle snatch and grab. I was carrying it under the arm towards the street and didn't have a strap around me, something I would never do in my own local big city of Los Angeles or any other large western city (especially one where I stand out as a tourist so much). But I never feared for my life like I would in some areas of LA despite most people saying that we would be killed or taken hostage. I listened to other Americans who had been there and knew what to expect. I agree that the dangers of unfamiliar areas are frequently over-hyped by many and I go ahead and do what I want to when it appears it can be safe. It's important to know the difference between a place where only common sense is needed and one where much more caution is essential. How many people will be going to Angola for the eclipse? Mike Simmons From: Assoc Prof J R Huddle <huddle@usna.edu> For one thing, there are predators (lions, etc) that kill humans. These animals are opportunistic in the sense that if they see an easy meal, they will take it. Also, there are human predators that are opportunistic in the sense that if they see an easy way to acquire money, they will take it. Jim Huddle From: Mike Simmons <msimm@ucla.edu> I live in hills where there is a lot of wildlife. As an avid birder and wildlife lover that's great for me. But when I go running on isolated trails I'm always aware that there are mountain lions around. I haven't even seen the tracks of one yet and there are no recent reports of them but I know they could be there. I don't run after dark any more. It's taken some getting used to the idea there is potential danger in this lovely place. We all tend to ignore the unlikely possibilities until confronted with them. It's a bit disconcerting when you realize you're not at the top of the food chain. Mike Simmons From: Harvey Wasserman <onsite@gate.net> Yes, this is about the only argument that I have seen in this thread that seems to me to have any validity. I camped in Katmai, Alaska, among the bears that gather each year for the salmon running in the river. It does indeed require a different mindset to travel where man is not the top of the food chain. As a result, proper precautions are exercised, ie. don't travel in game areas without a guide, or walk at night where lions may be, etc. Listen to others and play conservative, for sure,

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appear from view faster than others. This makes the last colors to remain green and then blue. However, blue light is dispersed quickly in the atmosphere, scattered by molecules. This leaves the last visible setting "flash" a green one. There is also another interesting notching effect that occurs during the process caused by atmospheric layering. Some people describe the notching as 'horns' in the shape of the setting sun. - Sounds like an interesting effect to mix with a partially eclipsed sun to me! jen From: Olivier Staiger <olivier.staiger@span.ch> more go on continent, mainly Zim and Zam, because: -longer duration of totality -less risk of clouds -easier accessibility (Lusaka) -combine with safari -french language vs. english ? -Air France flies to Madagascar, I suppose. But they are notorious for being on strike occasionnally :-( From: Sheridan Williams <sheridan@clock-tower.com> I booked Madagascar with 6 friends some time ago. I've always known it was the best location for several reasons. Sheridan Williams From: Sheridan Williams <sheridan@clock-tower.com> > Olivier Staiger says most will choose mainland for the following reasons: >-longer duration of totality Yes, but lower altitude eclipses are far more interesting (aesthetically and photographically) >-less risk of clouds Wrong, the west of Madagascar has better prospects than anywhere other than Angola. >-comb ine with safari What's wrong with Madagascar's superb wildlife and scenary?

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From: <Kidinvs@aol.com> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@aula.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 10:04 PM Subject: [SE] Zambia eclipse.. I will soon be relinquishing whatever small amount of space I have remaining for the eclipse trip I have planned. Information is available at www.eclipsesafaris.com If any one has interest in Air Only, or simply accommodations in Zambia at the Tented Village, or the whole tour, let me know soon. For those that are traveling with a different group, best of luck. I am sure we will meet up somewhere. Eric Brown
From: Glenn Schneider <gschneider@mac.com> To: <SOLARECLIPSES@AULA.COM> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 4:51 PM Subject: [SE] UMBRAPHILE S/W soon to be re-released (update) I am about to re-release the UMBRAPHILE S/W for the upcoming eclipse, following it's initial earlier alpha-release, updates, and testing. I should have it posted on my UMBRAPHILE page this weekend. If anyone has any other suggestions, which I might be able to address in the short term, please let me know. I will probably have time for another update sufficiently ahead of the eclipse, but I would like to "freeze" it soon unless anyone discovers any show stoppers. The UMBRAPHILE page: http://balder.prohosting.com/ stouch/UMBRAPHILE.html Thanks, Glenn Schneider

Install first

How to install
1Install built-in Bloggie Software

Instruction Manual

How to Share

2Shoot

3Share

Select

images and media services to upload. Connect to the computer.
If the AutoPlay screen does not appear, click [Start] [Computer] (in Windows XP, [My Computer]), then double-click [Bloggie Software] Setup_Bloggie_ Windows.exe. 4-275-043-14(1)

Mobile HD Snap Camera

off the camera while charging.

MHS-FS1/FS1K/FS2/FS2K

Basic operations

Front display

(MHS-FS2/FS2K only)

Share (Bloggie Software)

Microphone
Select [Menu] in playback mode.

Reading full manual

USB jack
Install [Bloggie Handbook] (PDF) on your computer. Windows: Click [Start] [Computer] (in Windows XP, click [My Computer]) double-click [Bloggie Software] [Handbook.exe] click [Install]. Macintosh: Select the [BLOGGIE_SW] folder and copy Handbook. pdf stored in the [GB] folder to your computer.
Speaker HDMI OUT jack ON/OFF(Power) Charge lamp
Select images and the sharing site to upload.

(MHS-FS1/FS1K)

Connect to the computer.
connection support cable (1) (Sony Corporation 4-277-105-) Wrist Strap (1) Instruction Manual (this manual) Important Notice (1) 360 Video Lens VCL-BPP3 (1)/360 Video Lens case (1) (MHS-FS1K/FS2K only) Capture 360-degree images, playable on Bloggie Software.

Supplied accessories

Built-in supplies
Battery/Bloggie Software/Bloggie Handbook
When shooting or playing back Movie (Start/Stop)/ Enter

On-screen icons

If the camera becomes unresponsive:
You can take photos even while you are recording video.
Press and hold the ON/OFF (Power) button for at least 7seconds, and reboot the camera. Network services depend on location areas.
T/W Zooming Go to index view mode Go to shooting mode

Self-Timer Volume

Light (MHS-FS2/FS2K only) Go to playback mode
When it detects your camera, Bloggie Software will launch and help you import and share your photos and videos.
Front display on/off (MHS-FS2/FS2K only)
must install Bloggie Software first to use the cameras Share it Later function.

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