Eclipse Chaser 2010 - What to Know

by Christian Frausto Bernal
Eclipse Chaser 2010 - What to Know

For 2010, there are four eclipses; two lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses. If you are an eclipse chaser, this year will be the chance to experience all types of eclipses. The first one, an annular solar eclipse, occurred on January 15, 2010. Were you able to see it? Its track was seen in Central Africa, the Indian Ocean and Eastern Asia.If you were not able to catch the first eclipse of the year, there's three more. The next one will be a partial lunar eclipse on June 26, 2010, visible in most parts of America, Pacific and Eastern Asia. Next, a total solar eclipse will occur on July 11, 2010, with the shadow passing on Cooks Island, Easter Island, Southern Chile and Argentina. And as the year ends, there's a total lunar eclipse on December 21, 2010, with full visibility on North America and Western South America. You can check NASA's Eclipse page for the exact time and weather predictions for the said dates.With this jam-packed astronomical schedule, eclipse chasers are surely busy. They are the people who purposely visit the places where eclipses are the most visible. If you plan to chase eclipses, or plan to watch one, it is important that you pack and prepare in advance. It's also a great way to spend a vacation. Most travel agencies offer great packages on hotels and resorts where eclipses are fully visible. But you must book at least a year in advance because these packages are surely in demand.Whether you're watching an eclipse as a professional astronomer or photographer, or just a spectator in your own backyard, you must adhere to proper viewing practices. These rules are not mandated by any political law, but you have to follow them for your own safety. For lunar eclipses, there's not much hazard and fuss. You can get away with looking at one without any serious damage to your eyes.For solar eclipses, annular or total, you must never look at the sun directly. Do not look at it straight with your naked eye, do not look at it straight using binoculars or a telescope. Always use appropriate solar or Mylar filters for your cameras, binoculars and telescopes. These will protect you from blindness and other potential eye problems. This a very serious warning for people who think that it's not a big deal. The more protection you have, the better off you'll be and the more enjoyable the experience will be.

Ken Frick has been writing articles about astronomy for the past three years. He also likes to write about home entertaining, including why having a liquor cabinet is so important and how a wall mounted wine rack can save a lot of space. Article Source:
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Total Solar Eclipse | Solar Eclipse Information