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xkcd #2914: Eclipse Coolnesss (imgs.xkcd.com)

submitted 7 months ago by randomaccount43543@lemmy.world to c/xkcd@lemmy.world

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https://xkcd.com/2914

Alt text:

A partial eclipse is like a cool sunset. A total eclipse is like someone broke the sky.

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[–] EvilBit@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Basically yes. Nearer the center of the path means a longer totality.

[–] JasonDJ@lemmy.zip 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I just landed in Houston, mainly to see the eclipse next week. Originally I was going to view from Austin, but it's because of this that I decided to trek to Dallas instead.

Essentially "totality" is inside the moons shadow. Since the moon is spherical (well, mostly), the shadow it casts is a circle. That's the path of totality.

I know you know this, I'm just saying this because you see that black band and you think all totality is the same. It's not. If you're on the edges, imagine a big circle shadow. Easier to visualize this way.