Comments on: A Solar Eclipse for the 2008 Olympics

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:45:25 +0000

This is the first I’m hearing of it, too. But, with so many people already planning to be in China, it only makes sense to add this to the itinerary if you can. We’ll have to do Siberia another time, I’m afraid.

Mike Smith

By: Magda

Magda — Sun, 28 May 2006 14:17:42 +0000

Thanks for that news, Il have somethign more to look forward to. I remember the last partical eclipse I saw thanks to you when sleepless in Dali. Ill definitively will try to be there. Thanks.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Tue, 09 May 2006 15:10:55 +0000

Well a can’t believe you guys took so long to find out about this amazing coincidence. I have been watcing eclipses since 1999 and this baby has been in my plans for a couple of years now. Just got back home from watching totality in Side in Turkey and recomend to anyone who happens across this note to make sure you catch one in this lifetime. Things will never be the same again. Happy chasing. Jonny

By: Zaza

Zaza — Mon, 08 May 2006 23:49:00 +0000

Have a look at what eclipse freeks are up to by visiting these pages:
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_20080801_pg01.html

This interactive map is marvelous: it displays the eclipse local circumstances on any point of the map. Woaw!
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2008_GoogleMapFull.html

And even in Antarctica!
http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/Solar_Eclipses.html

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 05 May 2006 05:34:45 +0000

For folks who are interested this is a link to NASA scientist Fred Espenak’s website about eclipses:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/solar.html

This is the link to the page specifically about the 2008 eclipse:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008.html

This is the global path:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008iau/TSE2008-fig02.GIF

and this is the path in China:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/SEmono/TSE2008/TSE2008iau/TSE2008-fig06.GIF

Note that the path ends in China, which means that the sun will be closer to the horizon than in other places and the period of totality will be shorter. Note also that the band of totality is a long way from Peking, and that weather prospects aren’t as good as they are elsewhere.

China would not be the first choice of location for someone who primarily wants to see the eclipse. Some groups are already taking reservations for trips to Siberia. But if you’re already there for other reasons–like the Olympics–getting to the eclipse zone in China should be manageable and would be well worthwhile.

By: Eveline

Eveline — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:04:40 +0000

Is it true? I haven’t heard any such news in China yet. It would be a fantastic coincidence then!

By: cici

cici — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:39:47 +0000

Really? Wow! I’m looking forward

By: chris

chris — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:44:36 +0000

yeah, and maybe they could hang aroung to watch some events. even the opening ceremonies. the eclipse and the olympics – a double exciting event. i’ll bet your looking forward to both, as i will definitely watch the olympics.