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Author Topic:   The Eclipse Conspiracy
caffeine
Member (Idle past 1050 days)
Posts: 1800
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Joined: 10-22-2008


Message 39 of 85 (818181)
08-24-2017 4:31 PM


Why can't I see one?
So I know there's a lot of people interested in science here, by the nature of the forum. Does anyone have the background in astronomy to explain to me why I never see an eclipse?
I recall, all the way back in 1999, that there was excitement about an eclipse in Europe, but this was only a 'partial eclipse' (not sure if that referred only to the particular part of Europe I happened to be in). I recall that it was cloudy, and it got a bit dimmer. I was underwhelmed.
Nothing since then. I figured we should know in advance about this things, so I looked for and found a map of solar eclipses predicted over the next decade. The US had two to look forward to in this time period - in 2023 and 2024 (if you happen to be in Illinois, it looks like you're the lucky ones who get a good view of both).
However, there is nothing anywhere near me. How is that Washington, Illinois and some remote spots in the ocean get two eclipses in a decade, while I see none despite several decades of life. Am I just unlucky in timing, or is there actually some reason that Europe is less likely to fall in the path of an eclipse?

Replies to this message:
 Message 40 by Taq, posted 08-24-2017 4:39 PM caffeine has seen this message but not replied
 Message 41 by NoNukes, posted 08-24-2017 5:47 PM caffeine has not replied
 Message 42 by Dogmafood, posted 08-24-2017 6:58 PM caffeine has not replied
 Message 43 by Modulous, posted 08-24-2017 7:03 PM caffeine has not replied

  
caffeine
Member (Idle past 1050 days)
Posts: 1800
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Joined: 10-22-2008


Message 48 of 85 (818356)
08-27-2017 1:30 PM
Reply to: Message 47 by Coragyps
08-27-2017 10:55 AM


Re: Why can't I see one?
Because of the butterfly effect. No butterflies are flapping their wings and creating chaos in orbit.
The solar system is also chaotic; but the timescales on which small changes in initial conditions matter are a lot longer.
Thanks for all responses. In conclusion, I need to plan a trip at some point.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 47 by Coragyps, posted 08-27-2017 10:55 AM Coragyps has not replied

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 Message 49 by NosyNed, posted 08-27-2017 2:07 PM caffeine has seen this message but not replied

  
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