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Dandelions
While there are species of dandelions native to North America [2][4], the one I see in my neighbourhood originated in Eurasia around 30 million years ago [4]. It was brought to North America by European settlers,…
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The Diamond Ring Effect
The effect is named after the shape and sparkle emitted as the moon covers the sun: The diamond ring effects are seen when only one or two beads are left, appearing as shining “diamonds” set in…
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Baily’s Beads
As the moon approaches total coverage of the sun, the last rays of light shine exhibit a “beading” effect: As the Moon covers the Sun during a solar eclipse, the rugged topography of the lunar limb allows beads of sunlight to shine through in…
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Solar Prominences
Another factor that made this eclipse special was it occurred around the time of the solar maximum The eclipse occurred around the solar maximum, a period of greatest solar activity in the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle, and it…
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The Total Eclipse
Total eclipses are not of course unheard of. What made this one special was that the distance between earth and moon was near its closest point: The magnitude of an eclipse, or the ratio of the angular diameter of…