Significant total solar eclipse of century on July 22

According to astronomers and research scientist, the most significant total solar eclipse of the century is falling on Wednesday July 22, 2009. Scientists and astronomers around the world are preparing to study the solar eclipse specially the study of shadow bands.

Shadow bands
are thin wavy lines of alternating light and dark that can be seen moving and undulating in parallel on plain-coloured surfaces immediately before and after a total solar eclipse. However, a new theory has been put forward by Dr. Stuart Eves, who works for Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), that shadow bands might actually be caused by infrasound, which involves the shadow of the moon travelling at supersonic speed which in turn produces high frequency sound that humans can't hear and because of this, creates a shockwave in front of the shadow, which causes shadow bands.

'Maitri' the Indian astronomy station at Antarctica got the first chance to study shadaow bands for the first time on November 23, 2003 for the stretch of 11 minutes (six minutes before and four minutes after the eclipse) which was exclusive and rare study which happens in 1000 years.

The solar eclipse of July 22 is very important because at this time the Sun and the Moon would be farthest from Earth. This solar eclipse will be the longest eclipse of twenty first century, and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. The total eclipse will be of 6 minutes 39 seconds. The total solar eclipse will be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, Eastern Nepal, Northern Bangladesh, Bhutan, The northern tip of Myanmar, Central China and the Pacific Ocean. Scientists are expecting to study larger shadow bands under this total solar eclipse.
Read full Interview of Dr. Hari Om Vats>>

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