This book takes you to eclipses of the past, present, and future, and lets you see - and feel - why people travel to the ends of the Earth to observe them.
It explains how to observe them; how to photograph and videotape them; why they occur; their history and mythology; and future eclipses - when and where to see them. Totality also tells the remarkable story of how eclipses shocked scientists, revealed the workings of the Sun, and made Einstein famous. And the book shares the experiences and advice of many veteran eclipse observers.
1. The Experience of Totality; 2. The Great Celestial Cover-Up; 3. A Quest to Understand; 4. Eclipses in Mythology; 5. Strange Behavior of Man and Beast; 6. Anatomy of the Sun; 7. The First Eclipse Expeditions; 8. The Eclipse that Made Einstein Famous; 9. Modern Scientific Uses for Eclipses; 10. Observing a Total Eclipse; 11. Observing Safely; 12. Eclipse Photography; 13. Shadow, Camera, Action - Capturing an Eclipse on Video; 14. Getting the Most From Your Eclipse Photos; 15. The Eclipse of August 1, 2008; 16. The Eclipse of July 22, 2009; 17. The Pedigree of an Eclipse; 18. The Eclipse of July 11, 2010; 19. The Eclipse of August 21, 2017; 20. Coming Attractions, 2008-2030; Appendices
I found the writing style of this superb book particularly to my liking and so easy on the eye that I finished it in just two sittings a very unusual occurrence for me indeed. [] There is no question about this at all; if you have even the slightest interest in our closest star then this book really should be in your collection! Greg Parker, Astronomy Now ...continues to prove itself to be an indispensible guide and reference book for solar eclipse observation today...Totality covers every aspect of solar eclipses and addresses a wide audience with an interest in astronomy...If you intend to witness the total solar eclipse next year in India, China and Japan, I highly recommend Totality to be included in your backpack. Kathryn Chung Bluesci Although this work is academic to the extent that it could easily be used as a reference textbook, it is written so professionally that it reads more like a well-crafted novel! Astronomy Now