At 11.11 am on August 11th 1999, a total eclipse of the sun
will be visible on the south coast of Cornwall, UK. For
those who can't be there, or just can't wait, we proudly present our own simulation of the way this stunning spectacle will be seen from Marazion beach, near
Penzance.
The total eclipse occurs when the Moon's orbit round the Earth takes it directly between the
Earth and the Sun.
By an amazing coincidence (or just good systems design) the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun,
and 400 times nearer Earth, so exactly covers the Sun when all three are directly in line.
As the moon begins to pass across the surface of the Sun, daylight starts to fade.
The temperature drops, birds and animals think it's time to sleep,
and strange shadow patterns can be seen on the ground.
However it's still dangerous to look at the Sun without proper protective glasses, so beware!
When the moon is directly between the Earth and Sun, darkness falls. The air is filled with the deafening sound of 2 million camera shutters all going at once.
The Sun's Corona, columns of fiery gasses hundreds of thousands of miles long, is visible.
This phase will last for roughly two minutes along the line of totality, which runs through Penzance and Falmouth.
The period of totality ends as the Moon moves away from the Sun, and daylight returns.
Birds and animals wake up, more strange shadows are seen, and it's still very dangerous
to look at the sun (seriously!).
Eclipse watchers will later be able to join a specially-organised 45-mile northbound
tailback along the A30 Bodmin Bypass.
