Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses [Paperback]

Philip S. Harrington (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At one point, Eclipse! takes time off from its primary task--a detailed technical guide to observing and recording eclipses around the globe--to tell the admonitory tale of the pupils of a school in Baltimore, Maryland. These eager and inquisitive children were not only kept in by their teachers during the event (owing to "legal considerations"), they were not even allowed near the windows! Of course, on the list of Things That Are Bound to Ruin Your Eclipse, other people's idiocy comes quite low. The top contenders are usually clouds and bad traffic. Lazy journalists who tell those of us disappointed on the day of an eclipse that this was "our only chance to see an eclipse" only fray our tempers further. This is, of course, nonsense. Eclipses happen all over the world at reasonably frequent intervals, and over the next few years they will be visible from many exciting locations. (Harare, 2001, anyone?) Philip Harrington's handsomely illustrated technical manual (none of your poorly reproduced NASA Web-site maps here) is both a resource for experienced eclipse chasers and an excellent introduction for those bitten by the eclipse bug. As one observer says, "No matter how much totality you've seen, it's never enough. Nicotine, alcohol, gambling, any conventional addiction you can think of; umbral dependence is worse." --Simon Ings, Amazon.co.uk

Product Description

The most complete guide to viewing eclipses—including details on every solar and lunar eclipse through 2017

Want to observe the most fleeting eclipse phenomena, take dramatic photos, and keep a detailed record of the experience? Now you can be prepared. This comprehensive one-stop resource covers everything you need to know about solar and lunar eclipses—why they happen, how to view them, how to photograph them, even when and where they will occur through the year 2017. Here's where to turn for:

• Detailed explanations of eclipse mechanics and dynamics, viewing techniques, and what to look for, both in the sky and all around you
• Extended discussions of eclipse photography and videography—film selection and developing, filter requirements, special care of equipment, and more
• Intriguing individual and group activities you can carry out during an eclipse to heighten your enjoyment and deepen your understanding of the event
• Detailed maps and discussions on how and where to best view each eclipse, plus travel considerations, likely weather conditions, and equipment recommendations

Whether you're a backyard astronomer, a dedicated eclipse chaser, or a teacher guiding students through their first eclipse experience, Eclipse! provides the in-depth, detailed, practical information you need to make the most of these thrilling celestial marvels of nature.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471127957
• ISBN-13: 978-0471127956
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,013,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Aug '99 eclipse is around the corner,THIS BOOK IS A MUST, May 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses (Paperback)

I have been planning my trip to view the August 1999 total solar eclipse for a few years now. It's almost here!! Thanks to this book, the best about eclipses by far, I am ready! Chapters detail traveling to other countries, what to bring, how to photograph eclipses, and even information about *every* eclipse between now and 2017. It even gives details about expected climatological conditions!

This book is more than solar eclipses, however. It also gives me new appreciation for lunar eclipses as well. There is a beauty coming up in January 2000 that will be visible right from my backyard. I'm now ready for that one, too!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine book about solar and lunar eclipses, July 8, 2006

By	Jill Malter ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses (Paperback)

Yes, this book is a little bit dated, given that it gives plenty of advice about how to observe the solar eclipses from 1998 to 2017, and we're nearly halfway through that time period already.

The book tells us about the main things one sees during an eclipse. Until the Sun is nearly covered by the Moon, there are few changes. But once the Sun is almost covered, things do change a little, in a spooky manner. There is still plenty of light; it isn't at all dark yet. It may be a little cooler, of course. But everything looks a little strange, because the Sun has been reduced to almost a point source. Harrington does not emphasize this, but shadows get much, much sharper. It's weird.

Meanwhile, Harrington does spend some time telling about the shadow bands (on the landscape) that one may observe shortly before totality. These are not easy to see, and they are nearly impossible to photograph.

And then, you may get to see the Moon's shadow rushing toward you at 1000 miles per hour. Once it reaches you, that's the start of totality. As you get close to totality, the only sunlight is that which sneaks through some of the Moon's valleys: it is called "Bailey's beads." The final few seconds before totality, there is only one bead left, and that is called "the Diamond Ring."

By now, the horizon looks like a 360-degree sunset. And at last, yes, there is totality (and darkness...it is like being outdoors in the middle of the night when the Moon is full), with the Sun and Moon combining to look like a hole in the sky. You get to see the Corona, and if you are lucky, maybe some solar prominences. And it is strange: most humans know from experience that it is Wrong for the Sun to be blocked in the middle of the day. Meanwhile, you get a rather unusual view of the sky. Many observers will try to get a rare naked-eye view of Mercury. Or there may even be a comet near the Sun that one can see.

Harrington discusses eclipse photography. My advice is to leave that for the experts: if you try to do photographs, you may pretty much miss the eclipse. In addition, you may find it difficult to operate your camera in the dark! Maybe the best idea is to bring a movie camera to record the reactions of those who are with you.

As this book explains, it requires some planning to get to see a solar eclipse at all. Eclipses rarely come to you; you almost always need to travel to get to see them. Harrington does discuss the main problem: it may be cloudy, and if clouds obscure the Sun, you will miss the eclipse! That means you need both good planning and some luck.

Eclipses are unique experiences. I recommend this book about them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommendable, March 21, 2000

By	Bernardo Vargas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses (Paperback)

I've been lucky to watch 3 total solar eclipses in my life, and still want more! This book was written by an eclipse-addict to help other eclipse-addicts, like me. I feel very grateful to Mr. Harrington for sharing all his experience and regarded knowledge to make the eclipse experience more fun. I'm now planning to watch the 2001 eclipse in Africa based on this book's advises.

The book includes charts, tables, photographic tips, and much more useful information. The only drawback I see is that it has no color pictures.