00:00We're just three days away from the start of the August 12 total solar eclipse.
00:04But why is it that some lucky stargazers will see the sun's disk completely disappear behind the
00:08moon during the climatic phase of totality while others will see a partial eclipse or nothing at
00:13all? As with most things it's all about location location location. During an eclipse the moon
00:18passes directly between the sun and earth bathing a swathe of our planet in its colossal shadow.
00:23That shadow is divided into two concentric cones consisting of a deeper inner shadow known as the
00:29umbra and a lighter wider and more diffuse outer shadow called the penumbra. For the August 12 eclipse
00:34the moon's inner shadow will sweep across a 182 mile wide corridor running through Greenland, Iceland
00:40and Spain. Those who find themselves in this path of totality will get to see the moon fully hide the
00:45face of our sun and will experience a magnificent false twilight as the lunar shadow sweeps directly
00:51over them. Anyone outside the path of totality but within the wider penumbral shadow will witness a
00:56gorgeous partial eclipse where the moon occults a portion of the sun without covering it entirely.
01:01The exact amount of the solo disk eclipsed will depend entirely on your distance from the path of totality.
01:07So be sure to check a trusted website like timeanddate.com for details specific to your location.
01:12If both the umbral and penumbral shadows miss you then there's no need to fret. Space.com will be bringing
01:18you
01:18full coverage of the eclipse along with live reports from the path of totality in Greenland and Spain
01:22and details on free live streams that'll let you experience each and every stage of the August 12
01:27total solar eclipse as it happens. As always we'd love to know where you're watching from so let us
01:33know in the comments and be sure to share your eclipse photography with us at spacephotosatspace.com
Comments