Partial Solar Eclipse over the Philippines - May 21, 2012 - FIRST LOOK

Projection of partial solar eclipse-  May 21, 2012; Manila.

Partial solar eclipse of May 21, 2012.

Here's a first look at the partial solar eclipse over the hills of Antipolo, the Philippines (morning of May 21, 2012). Further up in the northern latitudes, it's actually the much touted "annular solar eclipse of the year." But since the country is beyond the annular path, I had to settle with a partial with only around 40% (my estimate) of the sun obscured by the moon. But even so, it's still a fantastic sight to behold. It's not a common event and it's something that kids will appreciate and look back to as grown ups.

Baby appreciates eclipse.

I only had a cell phone camera and an iPad 2 with me and didn't have a filter to reduce the sun's glare, but fortunately, I found a way to photograph the eclipse. Two holes in the galvanized sheet iron section of the wash area of the house provided two excellent projection images of the solar eclipse. I had fun taking pictures, which I must say is even more exciting than taking them directly using a filter or a telescope. These photographs were taken at around 6:13 with an iPad 2. Enjoy these "first look" images of the partial solar eclipse of 2012 (annular up north in Japan and parts of the Asian mainland)!

Double images of the partial solar eclipse - May 21, 2012

Source of one of the wall-projected images of the solar eclipse.

Partial solar eclipse (May 21, 2012) - iPad 2; no a filter.

All photos by alvinwriter.

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Asteroid YU55 Flyby (Nov. 8, 2011) - An Observing Dream for Astronomers

Asteroid 2005 YU55 radar image. (Wikipedia)

On Nov. 8, 2011, asteroid 2005 YU55 will fly by the earth. It will pass closer than the moon is to us, which is kind of scary for some people who think it might hit us. But really, the experts know whether any planetoid out there will be a danger to earth for as long as they've had ample time to study them. Since asteroid YU55 has been known for quite some time, the people on earth really have nothing to fear. According to JPL Goldstone scientist, Marina Brozovic, "We know exactly where it is going to be, and we don't have any chance of impact for the following hundred years." So alright, that's good to know. So it's our grandchildren that will have something to worry about in the future.

But asteroid YU55 isn't really about the end of the world. It's by far the greatest opportunity for astronomers, amateur and professional to be able to get their telescopes set up and see what an asteroid looks like in person and up close. Sure some of you reading this may have already observed a few famous asteroids like Vesta and Ceres, but how they appear in a small telescope would be nothing compared to YU55 as it passes by the earth. At 201,700 miles close and at 1,300 feet wide (about 4 football fields) and seemingly round (which is kind of uncommon for a small asteroid), and black, like charcoal - so it is taunting us in a way, like it's saying, "Come on now, this is a once in a lifetime chance to see a strange asteroid up close, so watch me!"

More details about the path and other things about asteroid YU55 are in The Watchers, and of course, Wikipedia.

The asteroid belt figures prominently in this 100-piece jigsaw puzzle for kids. It's a great way to teach them about the solar system. Order your Solar System Cardboard Jigsaw Puzzle by clicking here or on the image.