David Heineke

Originally posted Aug 13, 2009:

A partial eclipse will be visible to most of Asia during sunrise Monday morning, then later Sunday evening it will be visible in the western half of North America during sunset.  (Now I realize how confusing crossing the International Date Line can be)

The moon can be seen directly in front of the sun first from the southeast edge of China, then Japan, at its greatest at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean just south of the island chain stretching from Alaska, across the southwest corner of Oregon, northern California, the middle half of Nevada, southwest Utah, northern Arizona, northwest to southeast New Mexico, and right at sunset, the southern part of the Texas panhandle.

From Austin, Texas, you can observe the partial eclipse from 7:34pm until sunset at 8:21pm.

See this Google map for the best time to observe this eclipse from the location you will be in that day.  Note that all times are in universal time (GMT).  Also see this almanac page about the moon and sun rise/set times.  Change it to your location for more accurate information.

See this safety information about viewing a solar eclipse.  I ordered some welder’s goggles from Amazon for $5.70 but they only come with clear glass, so I am installing these shade number 14 lenses for them for $4.98 a pair.

Additional eclipse safety information.

Related SPACE.COM article about solar eclipses.

The source for my solar eclipse information: NASA

Also see info about the rare upcoming June 6 2012 Venus Transit.