Why We Didn't See the Shadow of the Moon Sweeping Across America From Space

Many wondered why there was no live coverage of the shadow of the Moon sweeping across America during the 2017 total solar eclipse from a space-based perspective. Let's delve into the reasons behind this and explore the reality of space imaging during such events.

The Challenges of Space Imaging During an Eclipse

Firstly, the extensive coverage sometimes seen in space imagery comes from planned missions, not spontaneous coverage. While spacecraft such as the International Space Station (ISS) and weather satellites offer a unique perspective during celestial events, they are limited by their mission objectives and technical capabilities.

The ISS, often providing live feeds from low-Earth orbit, captures breathtaking images but due to its short-lived vantage point over specific locations, it only offers brief moments of imagery. Weather satellites, while capable of providing detailed images, are tasked well in advance with specific missions, sending back bursts of data rather than continuous streams.

For a live continuous feed over several hours, as would be necessary for an eclipse spanning large distances, is simply not feasible with current technology. The Earth's rotation and the satellite's orbit make it difficult to maintain a constant transmission without specialized equipment and operational support.

The Evidence of Imaging

Despite the challenges, various images and videos were captured from space during the 2017 eclipse. These come from both space stations and satellites designed for Earth observation. Notably, the International Space Station (ISS) did provide a unique view of the eclipse, which can be viewed here.

One can also view a composite image created from NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), a camera aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) that captures 12 different spectral bands to generate true-color images of Earth. These 12 still images were stitched together to create a visually striking representation of the eclipse's shadow sweeping across the American landscape, available here.

Clarifying Skepticisms and Beliefs

For those skeptical about the authenticity of space images, it's worth noting the extensive verification processes in place. The same skepticism that might be applied to space imagery could be applied to any form of media. However, the high redundancy and multiview perspectives from different satellites provide a robust layer of verification.

Take the movement of the ISS across the sun during the eclipse, observed by millions and broadcast live, as additional evidence of the reliability of space imaging. This phenomenon, visible to millions of people around the world, cannot be fabricated without a vast conspiracy, making it a compelling argument for the trustworthiness of satellite imagery.

Conclusion

While live coverage of the shadow of the Moon sweeping across America from space was not available due to technical limitations, comprehensive imagery does exist. Space imaging provides a unique and valuable perspective on celestial events, and the 2017 total solar eclipse is no exception. For those who missed out, there are resources available to catch up on the incredible sights captured from the heavens above.

[Video of the shadow from the ISS]

[Composite image from NASA's EPIC]