The sun, although 400 times wider than the moon, is also 400 times farther away from the earth. Thus, twice a year, when their orbits line up, an eclipse occurs. Fewer than a third are total. Any point on earth is eclipsed just once every 360 years. In this case, however, it was not only the moon that was eclipsed, but all of Earth's other moons. Scientists discovered helium and confirmed Einstein's theory of bending light through eclipse studies. This time, astronomers will study the sun's upper atmosphere, 11-year sunspot cycle, solar wind and why its outer atmosphere is much hotter than its inner.
The sun, although 400 times wider than the moon, is also 400 times farther away from the earth. Thus, twice a year, when their orbits line up, an eclipse occurs. Fewer than a third are total. Any point on earth is eclipsed just once every 360 years. In the U.S, the 1991 eclipse, one of the centuries best, will be better than those of 1970 and 1979. Scientists discovered helium and confirmed Einstein's theory of bending light through eclipse studies. This time, astronomers will study the sun's upper atmosphere, 11-year sunspot cycle, solar wind and why its outer atmosphere is much hotter than its inner.