Lynn.es@XEROX.ARPA (06/11/84)
were accidentally picked up in an orbiting coronagraph. There are several other reasons to observe eclipses though. One is timing the eclipse to check on the accuracy of our lunar orbit predictions, though this is becoming less important because of lunar laser ranging. Another result of timing is too determine the exact size of the sun, which some scientists think is changing. Another is checking general relativity by bending of light near the sun, though this can now be measured more accurately at radio wavelengths in broad daylight whenever a spacecraft goes behind the sun. There are yet more reasons to scientifically observe eclipses, but that's all I can think of at the moment. Perhaps the best reason to observe a total eclipse is to experience the sheer awe that comes over all life. That will remain even if all scientific experiments can be done elsetimes. /Don Lynn