October brings a rare ring of fire and a bite out of the Moon
Chris Bramley, Editor PS Our next issue goes on sale on Thursday 19 October.
This month, one of the most spectacular sights in all of nature will sweep across western USA and Central and South America. This ‘ring of fire’, an annular eclipse, is a special kind of solar eclipse during which only the outer edge of the Sun is visible, glowing dramatically (and brightly – eclipse glasses are needed to view). But what makes this eclipse different to a total solar eclipse? And how is the stunning ring effect created? Jamie Carter explains the remarkable cosmic coincidences involved on page 72.
There’s an eclipse visible from the UK later in the month too. This one is of the partial lunar variety, when the full Moon will appear to have a bite taken out of it. Pete Lawrence has the details in the Sky Guide from page 43. You can also read there about comet 103P/ Hartley, known as Hartley 2. This Solar System traveller reaches its closest point to the Sun this month, when it’ll be at its brightest and should be interesting to observe.
All three events are surely worthy subjects for the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, which we’re proud to announce the winners of in this issue. Turn to page 28 to see all the dramatic prizewinning shots, selected from a starting field of more than 4,000 images sent in from 63 countries.
However, some things are simply beyond the reach of Earth-bound photographers, and on page 60 Colin Stuart investigates the biggest mysteries of the Universe that still elude the greatest minds of cosmology. Enjoy the issue!
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