The first solar eclipse of 2012

On the night of May 21, there will first solar eclipse of 2012. Penumbral phase of the eclipse - when the Moon's shadow will begin to close the sun - will begin today at 20:56 GMT, and the solar ring for the first time can be seen on Earth at 22:06 GMT. The central band of the eclipse, in which the shadow of the moon will be as big, start at the southwest coast of China, will take place south of Korea through the southern part of the Japanese archipelago across the Pacific and in the US over the territory of Texas at 01.39 GMT on May 21. Now the moon is almost at a maximum distance from Earth - about 406 thousand kilometers, and the sun a little closer. But the coincidences necessary for a total eclipse has not happened - at the time of maximum eclipse of the Moon will cover only 94, 39% of the solar disk. During an annular eclipse can be observed a curious phenomenon - all the little holes through which to penetrate the sunlight, shadows will be visible in the form of rings. See also: On the surface of Mars saw the elephant. Can I see the sunrise and sunset of the Earth on the Moon? In our galaxy there are 500 million planets, potentially suitable for life. It discovered the first potentially habitable planets. A solar flare in 2012 will not destroy the Earth.

Source: focus.ua/society/232336/