Star Points for December, 2000; by Curtis Roelle Nature's Gift: A Partial Solar Eclipse on Christmas Day During the year 2000 there are four solar eclipses visible from various parts of the world. However, in each case the moon's umbral shadow completely misses the earth so none of the eclipses are total anywhere on earth. Instead, each one is a partial solar eclipse. The first on February 5 was visible from Antarctica where it was Summer and the sun was up 24 hours a day. The second on July 1 was only visible along the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. The third partial solar eclipse of the year on July 31 was visible from the western United States where the eclipsed sun slipped below the horizon at sunset. The fourth partial solar eclipse of the year takes place on Christmas Day and will be visible from all of the continental United States and most of Canada and Mexico. At maximum eclipse from Maryland more than half of the sun's dazzling disc will be covered by the dark disc of the moon. Probably not enough to cause any noticeable darkness on the ground, but an interesting show nonetheless for anyone who is prepared to safely observe the event. Here is the schedule of eclipse predictions for Baltimore by Fred Espenak, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for Christmas Day, December 25. First contact when a tiny "nick" will appear along the edge of the sun occurs at 11:04 a.m. EST. Maximum eclipse occurs at 12:42 p.m. at which time Maryland viewers will see 42.5% of the sun's surface obscured by the moon. Also the eclipse "magnitude" is 0.541. In other words, the moon covers a maximum of 54.1% of the sun's diameter. The eclipse ends at 2:16 p.m. The total eclipse duration is three hours and twelve minutes. Next we look at the all important subject of eclipse safety. Sky and Telescope magazine has eclipse viewing information posted on its web site at www.skypub.com/sights/eclipses/solar/safety.html. Alternatively, Star Points has plans available for a shoe box "eclipse theater" made with simple household materials and tools. Parts include aluminum foil, a white card, and of course, a shoe box. Tools needed are scissors and a straight pin. An illustration of the completed project may be found on the Star Points web site at greenfield.fortunecity.com/panda/454/images/solar-eclipse- theater.jpg. Cut a hole in one end of the shoe box and attach a piece of aluminum foil over the hole. On the inside of the box at the opposite end attach a white card to be used as a screen. Poke a small hole in the foil with the straight pin. To use, hold the box so that sunlight enters the pinhole projecting an image onto the card. Several people can view the eclipse simultaneously using this device. This month's partial eclipse is the last solar eclipse of the 20th century and the 2nd millennium. Contrary to popular belief the 21st century does not start until January 1, 2001. Besides being the location of the Vice Presidential mansion the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) in Washington D.C. is also tasked with being the ultimate authority on time. They keep the clocks -- atomic clocks -- running. The USNO is planning to kick off the 3rd millennium on December 31 with several events including an open house and time ball drop at midnight. For more information see their web site at www.usno.navy.mil. The first solar eclipse of the new millennium visible from Maryland is another December partial solar eclipse on December 14, 2001. When the sun sets that day in Maryland it will be in mid eclipse.