Looks like Summer 2011 is going to be one spectacle in the sky after another. Within the next month, there will be two partial solar eclipses and one total lunar eclipse.
The first event is just a couple of days away. The world is about to experience a "midnight eclipse of the sun." According to Space.com, it will begin near dawn on June 2 in northern China and Sibera. It will then move across the Arctic and end in the early evening of June 1 (yes, how weird!) in northeastern Canada. Curious if you'll be able to see anything where you are? Check out these solar eclipse sky maps.
The second solar eclipse will occur on July 2, but no one will see it! Scientists say the sun will be below the horizon during this eclipse, except for a short period when it will be visible in a small area far south of South Africa... in the middle of the Southern Ocean.
On the other hand, the lunar eclipse on June 15 will be a treat for millions of people in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South America, Europe and Australia. North Americans, of which I am one, will sadly not be able to take out their telescopes for this one either.
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