Miracles II - 2008 Total Solar Eclipse

This past Friday one of the rarest and most amazing astronomical events occurred. Total solar eclipses only happen once every few years anywhere in the world. In your lifetime, you'd be fortunate to see two in your area.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun and covers all but the extreme outer edge of the Sun. These eclipses are a total coincidence of nature. The sun is almost exactly 400 times larger than the moon, but the moon is almost exactly 400 times closer to Earth than the Sun.

The following video captures the prominences emitting from the sun. The video captures totality - when the Moon momentarily completely covers the Sun.

This creates the optical illusion that allows the Moon to appear to blot out the Sun. It is one of nature's true miracles. We truly live on a remarkable planet in a remarkable universe. It's source of absolute joy and peace to recall it.

Last week's eclipse was seen only in Canada, The Arctic, Russia, Mongolia, and China. The following video was shot from Canada.

Enjoy this miracle and stay inspired!

Ray