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Last Post 3/21/2008 9:07 AM by Paulett Liewer

solar eclipse

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Anonymous

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3/21/2008 5:56 AM
Greg (LM) whats the flashing, small like features seen just prior to a total eclipse, and even after total? What causes this? thanks..

Kris Sigsbee

Basic Member

Posts:415

3/21/2008 8:28 AM
Hi Greg, I'm not entirely sure I understand what you are asking about. I think it might be the phenomenon called Bailey's Beads. Bailey's Beads are basically rays of sunlight visible through the valleys between the mountains on the lunar surface. You can read more about them and see some photos in this story about an eclipse that occurred back in December 2001: http://science.nasa.gov/h...y2001/ast12dec_1.htm The Exploratorium's web site also has a nice photo of Bailey's Beads and a solar prominence: http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/what2.html If this doesn't answer your question, let us know and maybe one of the other Solar Week scientists can help. Kris

Paulett Liewer

Basic Member

Posts:113

3/21/2008 9:07 AM
Hi Greg, You might also be referring to solar prominences which are often visible during a total solar eclipse. These are beautiful filamentary structure standing above the solar surface that appear orange during an eclipse. You can see a picture of this at http://www.mreclipse.com/SEphoto/TSE2006/image/T06-1089-2w.JPG. Sometime they erupt in concert with coronal mass ejections. Enjoy! Paulett