Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow

The August 2017 solar eclipse is the chance of a lifetime for astronomer Shadia Habbal--years of planning come down to one moment of totality. Will everything go off as planned?

On August 21, 2017, much of America stood still and looked up as a wide swath of the country experienced totality--a full solar eclipse. Even in areas outside the path of totality, people watched in awe as the moon cast its shadow on the sun. For most, this was simply a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Not so for Shadia Habbal, who travels the world in search of solar eclipses in order to study the sun's corona. Solar wind and storms originating in the corona can have big effects on our planet. They can disrupt technology, expose aircraft to radiation, and even influence global climate change.

In the months leading up to the 2017 eclipse, Shadia assembles a team of scientists to set up camp with her in Mitchell, Oregon. Years earlier, a long, expensive trip to Indonesia to study an eclipse failed when the skies remained too cloudy to see it. Shadia is determined to have the 2017 eclipse be a success. Will the computers fail? Will smoke from nearby fires change direction? Will the cloudy skies clear in time? Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they count down the months, days, hours, and finally minutes until totality.

Author: Ilima Loomis
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 12/10/2019
Pages: 80
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 9.10h x 11.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781328770967
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.8
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 506002 / Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001
Shelf Awareness 01/07/2020
School Library Journal 01/10/2020 pg. 1
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2020

About the Author
Loomis, Ilima: - Ilima Loomis is an award-winning freelance writer and journalist specializing in reporting on scientific research, especially in the areas of Earth and planetary science, oceans, astronomy, and space. She has contributed to publications including Science, Science News for Students, National Geographic Traveler, and Spirituality & Health. She is based on Maui, Hawai'i. This is her first book for Houghton Mifflin Books for Young Readers