| flash spectrum ...photography by Robert B Slobins |
Home
 Astronomy
Total Solar Eclipses
|
Image Reference: 1994-903-32 |
General
Galleries
Solar Eclipse and Venus, Sevaruyo - Bolivia 3 November 1994
 Previous |
|
 Next |
Close conjunctions of solar system objects with a total solar eclipse are not common. They usually involve an inner planet like Venus. Here, Venus was between the Earth and Sun, at inferior conjunction and north of the Earth's orbital plane. An observer with telescope turned on Venus would have seen an extremely thin crescent or even a ring of sunlight passing through its upper atmosphere. Outside of the total eclipse, however, this observer MUST take extreme precautions in order to preserve his vision. Direct, unfiltered viewing of the sun through any magnifier will burn an eye in a moment.