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Leading Eclipse Scientist puts finishing touches to his next expedition
November 11, 2002Professor John Parkinson, Britain's leading eclipse expert sets off for South Africa in a few days time to observe the total eclipse of the sun on 4 December. He will be heading for a remote bush camp at Sirheni in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.
A total eclipse offers a rare opportunity to learn more about astronomy, science and the natural world through observing and investigating. John's web site at www.shu.ac.uk/eclipse explains the why, when, where and how of eclipses and also offers ideas for experiments that can be carried out during an eclipse.
For most people, a total solar eclipse is a 'once in a lifetime' experience but for John this will be his 10th expedition. He explained that this one will be particularly challenging: 'The eclipse occurs at the start of the rainy season and I still vividly remember the washout in Cornwall three years ago. This eclipse is at breakfast time and the days tend to dawn bright and clear only clouding up towards lunchtime, so I am very optimistic."
John will again be measuring the exact size of the sun. This is part of a research programme he started over 20 years ago to check how well we understand our nearest star.
John is Director of the School of Science and Mathematics at Sheffield Hallam University and he acknowledges the interest and encouragement he has received from colleagues at the University.
'I have also been given tremendous support by the two leading travel and safari companies in the area, Wildlife Worldwide, based in Croydon, and Wilderness Safaris based in Johannesburg.'
Following this eclipse, John`s next expedition will be to Antarctica in November 2003 where, weather permitting, he will be the first person ever to observe a total eclipse of the sun from that continent.
Sheffield Hallam University
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