Solar eclipses

[dragonfree97]

Are solar eclipses from the surface of Kerbin possible?

[kacperrutka26]

Yes it is! Since mun orbit is exactly straight!

[UmbralRaptor]

Yes, though given the limitations of Unity, the results are less impressive than you'd expect.

The Mün's orbit is in the same plane as Kerbin's so, I would expect the time between eclipses to be ~39 hours, 12 minutes. Duration would be approximately 12 minutes. Seeing them at KSC might be a bit rarer.

[Cepheus]

It's a bit easier to see them from the surface of the moon, though. But trust me, it happens.

[dragonfree97]

So does it create an actual eclipse effect? i.e. the whole area goes dark

[UmbralRaptor]

Just the area around you goes dark. You'll likely be able to see spots that should be dark but are actually light because of the limitations of Unity.

[deadshot462]

Here's a video of a Kerbol eclipse from Kerbin:

The area does not go dark, but the sun does get obscured temporarily.

Edited August 12, 2012 by deadshot462

[Galactic Nexus]

Here's a video of a Kerbol eclipse from Kerbin:

The area does not go dark, but the sun does get obscured temporarily.

Should hopefully look somewhat more impressive with .17's new sun. Even if the area doesn't darken, because it isn't a point of light, the transit should actually be a transit.