Total Solar Eclipse on July 22, 2009 Will Be Longest of the 21st Century!

Ancient civilizations believed that a solar eclipse was a demon eating their Sun and the only way to get rid of the demon was to gather in large crowds and beat drums, scream, and shout as loud as they could. The ancient Greeks thought a solar eclipse was a bad omen because angry Gods caused the darkness of the solar eclipse. A solar eclipse is one of the most fascinating spectacles in the sky, mainly because the Sun is huge and to see it darkened, even for minutes, is like seeing the all powerful Zeus get struck down by a lightening bolt. Get ready to beat drums, scream and shout for the total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009; it is a history maker!

The total solar eclipse occurring on July 22, 2009 will be the longest total solar eclipse of the 21^st century and its 6 minute 39 seconds duration will probably not be surpassed until the total solar eclipse occurring on June 13, 2132. The duration of a solar eclipse can last about 7 minutes 31 seconds but these solar eclipses are rare. Scientists predict it will be the year 2150 before we see a total solar eclipse with a duration that will last for 7 minutes 14 seconds, which is longer than any total solar eclipse since the ninth century CE. A period of total eclipse totality is normally shorter than five minutes.

You can see a timetable of the total solar eclipse for the world's time zones and watch a live web cam of the total solar eclipse at The University of North Dakota SEMS web site. (click here to watch live solar eclipse web cam) The SEMS web site also allows you to view time zone clocks for the total solar eclipse as well as past solar and lunar eclipse events. You can plan a trip to the Taj Mahal and watch the July 22, 2009 total solar eclipse up close and personal using these safety tips for viewing a solar eclipse. (click here for tips)

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and only happens about twice a year. You will only see a solar eclipse during a New Moon phase, but not all New Moon phases cause a solar eclipse. Depending on the wobble of the Moon during its pass between the Earth and the Sun, it can create three different kinds of solar eclipse: a total solar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse, or an annular solar eclipse. The Moon must be very close to the Earth and be directly between the Earth and Sun for a total solar eclipse to be visible from some parts of Earth.

Solar Eclipse History and Trivia

Spirit of the rising sun lift me up
Hold me there and never let me fall
Love me 'til I die, my heart won't wait
Soon I will be loved...

(Lyrics to Three Sunrises by U2)

Ancient civilizations as far back as 4000 years ago wrote about the solar eclipse and believed that a demon was eating the Sun. According to Chinese legend, two ancient Chinese astronomers, Hsi and Ho, were executed for not predicting the solar eclipse that occurred on October 22, 2134 BCE. Many historians and astronomers believe the mysterious Stonehenge was built to track the paths of the Moon and Sun, although the Stonehenge builders were not believed to have predicted solar or lunar eclipses.

The total solar eclipse on May 29, 1919 was used to prove Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity by showing that gravity can bend light. Helium, the first chemical element to be discovered outside the Earth was found during the solar eclipse on August 16, 1868. The name Helium gets its name from the Greek word for the Sun - Helios.

MP3 Playlist of Sun Songs for Your Total Solar Eclipse Party

Too Close to the Sun - David Usher
The Warmth of the Sun - Beach Boys
Eclipse - Pink Floyd
Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow
Why Does the Sun Go On Shining - Skeeter Davis
Circle of the Sun - Sally Rogers
Who Loves the Sun - Velvet Underground
Fly Into the Sun - Lou Reed
Behind the Sun - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Walking on the Sun - Smash Mouth
Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
Ride Into the Sun - Def Leppard
Three Sunrises - U2

Sources:

NASA Eclipse Web Site
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2009/TSE2009.html

Live Webcast of Solar and Lunar Eclipse
http://sems1.cs.und.edu/~sems/index_Schedule.php

The History of the Solar Eclipse
http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar-eclipse-history.html

Safety Tips for Viewing Solar Eclipses
http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/eclipse-tips-safety.html