[AZ-Observing] Re: Eclipse Magnitude and Obscuration

Go Figure, I actually knew something about Astronomy that Tom didn't. =
Prepare ye all for the end of the world! :)

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Polakis [mailto:tpolakis@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 4:00 PM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Eclipse Magnitude and Obscuration


I just learned that the magnitude of an eclipse represents the fraction =
of the sun's diameter that is covered (4%), whereas the obscuration is =
the fraction of the sun's area that is covered (0.9%).

Using that definition, my 20-inch telescope has an obscuration by the =
secondary mirror of only 3.2%.

Tom

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