Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of
our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief
explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2001 June 20
Explanation: A total eclipse of the Sun is that special
geocentric celestial event where the Moon passes exactly in
front of the solar disk. During a fleeting few minutes of
totality, fortunate earthdwellers located within the path of the
Moon's dark shadow can witness the wondrous shimmering solar
corona sharing the sky with stars and bright planets. The next
total solar eclipse will occur tomorrow, June 21. Since the Sun
is still near the maximum of its 11 year activity cycle, careful
eclipse-watchers will also likely see the spectacle of bright
solar prominences lofted above active regions around the Sun's
edge. In fact, a telescopic view could be similar to this
stunningly detailed image -- a picture of the solar eclipse of
August 1999 taken at the beginning of totality from Kecel,
Hungary. The upcoming 2001 June 21 event w