Solar eclipses at KSC, something I didn't notice before

[SebLavK]

So I was testing a "bed" to deliver my science rover to the Mün in career mode when I noticed the solar panels weren't generating any power.

At first I thought it was a bug, but after right-clicking on the panels I noticed the message "blocked by the Mün", and sure enough, there was the eclipse.

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I've been playing KSP since version 0.18 and it's the first time I notice this. It makes sense, of course, as when in orbit this happens very often, but it was a nice surprise to see it happen at the Space Center.

EDIT:Thanks to Xetalim for pointing out the difference between Solar and Munar eclipses

Edited December 3, 2013 by SebLavK

[The Destroyer]

So I was testing a "bed" to deliver my science rover to the Mün in career mode when I noticed the solar panels weren't generating any power.

At first I thought it was a bug, but after right-clicking on the panels I noticed the message "blocked by the Mün", and sure enough, there was the eclipse.

I've been playing KSP since version 0.18 and it's the first time I notice this. It makes sense, of course, as when in orbit this happens very often, but it was a nice surprise to see it happen at the Space Center.

I'm sorry, but those images are borked. Also, I only had 3 eclipses I saw in my entire 0.13-0.22 lifetime.

How to fix images: upload to imgur.

[Starwhip]

Yep. I crashed a Jool probe into Kerbin because the Mun blocked the panels. I couldn't circularize the orbit. And my first-ever Duna rover shot right by because of an eclipse from its own craft. Now, I don't want to get rid of it, because it's realistic, but it is annoying.

[SebLavK]

How to fix images: upload to imgur.

Yes, I was just thinking about doing that, but posted anyway

[Xetalim]

According to my ultra small information well, it is not a mun eclipse but a solar eclipse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse

[SebLavK]

According to my ultra small information well, it is not a mun eclipse but a solar eclipse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse

You're right. I've always thought the name came from the body that occulted the other.

From Wikipedia

[Eclipse etymology]The term is derived from the ancient Greek noun á¼â€ÃŽÂºÃŽÂ»ÃŽÂµÃŽÂ¹ÃˆÎ¹Ã‚ (ékleipsis), which means "the abandonment", "the downfall", or "the darkening of a heavenly body"

I wonder if a true Munar eclipse is rendered with the game engine

[celem]

I often wondered if these were correctly modeled and visible if correctly positioned, I rarely pay attention.

Glad to hear it's in and nice album!

[quietsamurai98]

Does anyone have a calender of KSC eclipses?

I think it could be interesting to see a KSP eclipse.

[oggylt]

Does anyone have a calender of KSC eclipses?

I think it could be interesting to see a KSP eclipse.

It happens every month, since Kerbol, Mun and Kerbin are in 0 relative inclination

[SebLavK]

Does anyone have a calender of KSC eclipses?

I think it could be interesting to see a KSP eclipse.

With the way the Mun orbits Kerbin, you'd just have to time accelerate until the Mun is between you and the Sun. Slightly a bit more time as a munar orbit, each time is a guaranteeed eclipse. With Minmus it's a bit more difficult since the ascending and descending nodes have to be in line with Kerbin and the Sun, and with Minmus in the middle at one of the nodes. Optimally, this would happen twice every Kerbin year, but I would have to check the orbital periods to say for sure.

[quietsamurai98]

Sorry, what I meant was 'Does anyone have a calender of or a formula for the dates of solar eclipses visible from the KSC?'

Edited December 3, 2013 by quietsamurai98