MythTickle by Justin Thompson for October 13, 2023

Well said. Thank you for reminding me of the eclipse. Always such a wondrous event. The Diamond Ring for a split second so exciting. The scalloped pattern on the side walk, so artistic. Where did that come from, oh, it is from the sun.

The moon is very slowly moving farther from the Earth. In several centuries it will appear too small for a total eclipse. Enjoy it whils we can.

Happy Friday the 13th, Mythticklers!

yeah, how about those Beatles …

By the way, “celestivities” is a beautiful word for the sky putting on a show from which we humies benefit.

Tomorrow’s eclipse will be an annular eclipse, meaning that the moon will appear smaller than the sun, leaving a ring of fire all the way around.

We had a near total eclipse where I live a couple of years ago. The main effect to me was that the sun looked much, much smaller than usual. The photos you usually see are zoomed-in closeups. What I realized is that what we normally perceive as the size of the solar disc actually includes the brightness halo around the sun’s sphere. You can’t even see the sphere through the glare at mid-day. That misperception of apparent size is amplified by the fact that you can’t look directly at it unless you want to permanently damage your eyes. I know that the slightest accidental glance at the sun for even a split second makes a spot in my vision that doesn’t go away for several minutes to an hour.

Thanks for repeating this…

Lucy in the sky……

what is not

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

It is believed our Moon broke off as a chunk of Earth, a big chunk which did not get too far. That is why it is unusually large for a moon and big enough to eclipse the sun. As olddog1 mentions, eventually all solar eclipses will be annullar eclipses.

Alas. It looks like Oregon will be rained out for the annular eclipse tomorrow.

As the Beatles also said “Let It Be.” They were on to something.

The moon started much closer to the planet. Over time it has moved further and further away. That trend will continue.

Astronomy is full of wonders. I guess The Beatles, too, though I have always preferred the Rolling Stones….

“Everything under the sun is in tune, But the sun is eclipsed by the moon!” So thanks for those lyrics, too, Pink Floyd!!

Maybe I should make some more Love to someone.

Cause, You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You.