Solar eclipse astronomy. Astronomer using laptop computers to record observations of the Sun made during a total solar eclipse. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes across the Sun as seen from Earth. This only occurs at New Moon,and is most commonly a partial eclipse. Sometimes,usually less than once a year,a total solar eclipse takes place. This happens when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun,and,for a few minutes,the corona,the Sun's atmosphere,becomes visible. This allows astronomers to carry out observations that are not possible when the Sun is fully visible. Photographed on 21 June 2001,in Sumbe,Angola |