Looking Back at an Eclipsed Earth
Looking Back at an Eclipsed Earth
Credit: Mir 27 Crew;
Copyright: CNES
Explanation: Here is what the Earth looks like during a
solar eclipse. The shadow of the
Moon can be seen darkening part of
Earth. This
shadow moved across the
Earth at nearly 2000 kilometers per hour. Only observers near the center of the
dark circle see a total solar eclipse - others see a partial eclipse where only part of the
Sun appears blocked by the Moon. This
spectacular picture of the 1999 August 11
solar eclipse was one of the last ever taken from the
Mir space station. The two bright spots that appear on the upper left are
possibly Jupiter and Saturn, although this has yet to be proven. Mir was
deorbited in a controlled re-entry in 2001.
Looking Back at an Eclipsed Earth
Knowledge Talks, Wisdom Listens. 
