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Much of what is known about the universe comes from the study of celestial shadows—eclipses, transits, and occultations. The most dramatic are total eclipses of the Sun, which constitute one of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring events of nature. Though once a source of consternation or dread, solar eclipses now lead thousands of amateur astronomers and eclipse-chasers to travel to remote points on the globe to savor their beauty and the adrenaline-rush of experiencing totality, and were long the only source of information about the hauntingly beautiful chromosphere and corona of the Sun. Long before Columbus, the curved shadow of the Earth on the Moon during a lunar eclipse revealed that we inhabit a round world. The rare and wonderful transits of Venus, which occur as it passes between the Earth and the Sun, inspired eighteenth century expeditions to measure the distance from the Earth to the Sun, while the recent transits of 2004 and 2012 were the most widely observed ever--and still produced results of great scientific value. Eclipses, transits and occultations involving the planets, their satellites, asteroids and stars have helped astronomers to work out the dimensions and shapes of celestial objects—even, in some cases, hitherto unsuspected rings or atmospheres—and now transits have become leading tools for discovering and analyzing planets orbiting other stars. This book is a richly illustrated account of these dramatic and instructive astronomica l phenomena. Westfall and Sheehan have produced a comprehensive study that includes historical details about past observations of celestial shadows, what we have learned from them, and how present-day observers—casual or serious—can get the most out of their own observations. .

Physics. --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Planetology. --- Astronomy. --- Physique --- Planétologie --- Astronomie --- Eclipses. --- Lunar eclipses. --- Occultations. --- Eclipses --- Lunar eclipses --- Solar eclipses --- Transits --- Occultations --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Practical & Spherical Astronomy --- Astronomy - General --- Astrophysics --- Spherical astronomy --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Astrophysics. --- Astronomical physics --- Astronomy --- Cosmic physics --- Physics

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This is the unique story of  observing a total solar exlipse for no less than 74 consecutive minutes. On the summer morning of June 30, 1973, the Sun rises on the Canary Islands. But it is strangely indented by the Moon. The eclipse of the century has just begun. From the west, the lunar shadow rushes to the African coast at a velocity of over 2000 kilometers per hour. Astronomers on the ground will enjoy seven short minutes of total eclipse to study the solar corona - too short for Pierre Lena and seven scientists who board the Concorde 001 prototype, an extraordinary plane to become the first commercial supersonic aircraft. With André Turcat as chief pilot and a crew of five, at 17000 m altitude, the aircraft remains in the lunar shadow for 74 minutes, a record time of scientific observations not yet beaten and allowing for exceptional measurements. Science, technology, aviation and history combine in the story of a unique human adventure aboard a legendary aircraft, illustrated with a rich and original iconography. It reflects the wonderful domains that science and technology can open, and the passion in the professions they offer. A must read for every eclipse chaser and fan of true scientific adventures.

Astronomy - General --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Solar eclipses --- Astronomy --- Astronomical observatories. --- Aeronautics --- Research. --- History --- Aerostation --- Air navigation --- Aviation --- Astronomical research --- Eclipses, Solar --- Observatories --- Popular works. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy. --- Aerospace engineering. --- Astronautics. --- Popular Science. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Aerospace Technology and Astronautics. --- Observations. --- Communication and traffic --- Aerodynamics --- Airships --- Astronautics --- Balloons --- Flight --- Flying-machines --- Eclipses --- Space sciences --- Astrodynamics --- Space flight --- Space vehicles --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Aeronautical engineering --- Engineering --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical