Expert: Harry Hayfield - 9/10/2005

Question
Dear Harry Heyfield,
I want to work on an astronomical project and I'm looking for a subject,
and is better if the project contains observational , theoretical and
computational parts all. It might be useful for you to know that  I have
a Newtonian telescope (6") and a 30*70 binacular and have some good
experience in deep sky observing and also astrophotography.I'm also
expert in some programming and computational softwares. I'm also
interested in astrophysics and astrophysics.(Dont think that I'm proud
of myself or want to show off ; this is because I asked lots of people
to give me a project subject and they objected and said thet they didn't
know my capabilities !). You'll help me a lot if yuo give me a subject.
thanks a lot
Yours sincerely
Golshan Ejlali
Tehran
Iran

Answer
Have I got a couple of projects for you!

On October 3rd 2005, Tehran will see a partial solar eclipse of magnitude 22%. Now I realise this isn't much compared to the total eclipse you got in 1999, but the reason I am highlighting it is that six months later on March 29th 2006 you get a much deeper 70% eclipse.

What you might consider doing is a project on the track of the moon across the sun during both eclipses and seeing if (without referring to your software until you wish to confirm your calculations) calculate when the next total eclipse over Tehran will be.

Please remember of course never to look at the sun directly without shade 14 googles or to look at the sun through a telescope