Further Reading through McMaster Library
Interested in further reading? McMaster University Library has a large selection of materials related to eclipses!
Start below with books that provide a general overview of solar eclipses, or use the menu on the left-hand side of the screen to get inspired by specific subjects!
General Information on Eclipses
Visual Astronomy: A Guide to Understanding the Night Sky
This book introduces the basics of observational astronomy. It explains the essentials of time and coordinate systems, and their use in basic observations of the night sky. The fundamental concepts and terminology are introduced in simple language making very little use of equations and math. Examples illustrate how to select the relevant information from widely accessible resources, and how to use the information to determine what is visible and when it is visible from the reader's particular location. Particular attention is paid to the dependence of the appearance and motion on the observer's location, by extending the discussion to include various latitudes in both North and South hemispheres.
Celestial Shadows: Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations
Much of what is known about the universe comes from the study of celestial shadows-eclipses, transits, and occultations. Long before Columbus, the curved shadow of the Earth on the Moon during a lunar eclipse revealed that we inhabit a round world. The rare and wonderful transits of Venus, which occur as it passes between the Earth and the Sun, inspired eighteenth century expeditions to measure the distance from the Earth to the Sun, while the recent transits of 2004 and 2012 were the most widely observed ever--and still produced results of great scientific value. This book is a richly illustrated account of these dramatic and instructive astronomical phenomena.
David Levy's Guide to Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations
In this simple guide, David Levy inspires readers to experience the wonder of eclipses and other transient astronomical events for themselves. Covering both solar and lunar eclipses, he gives step-by-step instructions on how to observe and photograph eclipses. As well as explaining the science behind eclipses, the book also gives their historical background, discussing how they were observed in the past and what we have learned from them. This personal account contains examples from the 77 eclipses the author has witnessed himself.
Fundamentals of Solar Astronomy
There are several textbooks available on solar astronomy which deal with advanced astrophysical aspects of solar physics, and books which provide very elementary knowledge about the Sun. This book will help to bridge the gap. It aims to stimulate interest in solar astronomy, presenting at one place the basic methods and techniques used in the field, together with the latest findings and the excitement in solar physics. As solar astronomy is becoming very popular among amateur astronomers and laymen, the book provides the practical knowledge to build simple solar telescopes and other equipment.
New Eyes on the Sun: A Guide to Satellite Images and Amateur Observation
Information collected by satellites recently sent by the USA, the European Space Agency, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia to monitor the Sun has changed our knowledge and understanding of the Sun, particularly its effect on Earth. This book presents these findings in a way that will be welcomed by amateur astronomers, students, educators and anyone interested in the Sun. Enhanced by many colour photographs, the book combines newly acquired scientific understanding with detailed descriptions of features visible on the Sun's surface and in its atmosphere.
Total Eclipses of the Sun (Expanded Edition)
Eclipses have captured attention and sparked curiosity about the cosmos since the first appearance of humankind. Having been blamed for everything from natural disasters to the fall of kings, they are now invaluable tools for understanding many celestial as well as terrestrial phenomena. This clear, easy-to-understand guide explains what causes total eclipses and how they can be used in experiments to examine everything from the dust between the planets to general relativity. A new chapter has been added on the eclipse of July 11, 1991 (the great Hawaiian eclipse).