NASA scientists to watch solar eclipse May 20

PanARMENIAN.Net - A solar eclipse is set to impress skywatchers around the world this weekend, and a team of NASA scientists are hosting a fun viewing party at one of the most spectacular destinations in the United States: The Grand Canyon, according to SPACE.com.

Officials from NASA's Lunar Science Institute (NLSI), at the Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., are conducting free public programs at the Grand Canyon Village Visitor Center on Sunday, May 20, including safe telescope viewing of the eclipse as it happens.

The solar eclipse will occur in the afternoon and early evening on Sunday, when the moon passes between Earth and the sun and casts a shadow on the planet. At its peak, the moon will block roughly 94 percent of the sun's light, which should make for a spectacular skywatching event, said Brian Day, director of communication and outreach at the NLSI.

Sunday's natural phenomenon is called an annular solar eclipse (from the Latin word "annulus," which means "little ring"), because the moon will not completely block the sun, but will leave a fiery ring around its circumference. The eclipse will occur in the late afternoon or early evening of May 20 throughout North America, and May 21 for observers in Asia.