psuvm%gms@psuvax1.UUCP (06/14/84)
I must concurr with Don Lynn on the reasons for observing solar eclipses. Perhaps the most important reason is number 2, whereby we hope to determine if the diameter of the solar photosphere is changing. This has important implications for our understanding of the solar power source. (ie, why are we not detecting the predicted number of nutrinos?) Also there is some info from solar Max (the satellite) that indicates that the solar constant (the amount of solar radiation recieved AT EARTH at all wavelengths) is decreasing. Although the data only covers a few years this is still an important problem. Accurate measurements of the size of the solar photosphere could (bad pun) shed some light on the situation. Finally, I cannot stress enough the sheer pleasure of being in the central path of the eclipse. Although I have watched totals before I still packed my family and drove to North Carolina to see this one. Although we made the edge of the cloads with only 30 minutes to spare, and my wife thought I was completely nuts, we were successful. She then exclaimed that it was worth the trip after all. Like zen, a solar eclipse MUST be experienced to understand the reasons for going. Gerry Santoro GMS @ PSUVM (via bitnet) Micro Inf. & Support Center !decvax!mcnc!idis!santoro (usenet) Penn State University (814) 863-4356