あす金環日食 天空のドラマを堪能したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 21, 2012)
Let's enjoy a rare astronomical spectacle!
あす金環日食　天空のドラマを堪能したい（5月20日付・読売社説）

An annular solar eclipse, a phenomenon in which the moon blocks out most of the sun, leaving a ring of light around its circumference, takes place on Monday morning, May 21. The annular eclipse will be visible along the Pacific side of the country, from southern Kyushu to the southeastern part of Fukushima Prefecture.
　太陽の中心部が月に隠され、周囲が金の輪のように輝く金環日食が２１日朝、九州南部から福島県南東部にかけての太平洋側で観測できる。

About two-thirds of the nation's population live in areas where the eclipse can be observed. It is said to be first time in 932 years--since the late Heian period (794-1192)--that such a large proportion of the population will be able to see an annular solar eclipse.
　観測が可能な地域に、日本の人口の３分の２が住む。これほど広範囲で観測できるのは、平安時代以来９３２年ぶりという。

Another annular solar eclipse can be observed in Japan in 18 years, but the area from which it can be viewed will be limited to Hokkaido.
　日本では１８年後にも金環日食が観測できる。だが、北海道だけと範囲は狭い。

This time is definitely a precious opportunity to view a heavenly spectacle. Why not take advantage of a wonderful astronomical show?
天空のドラマを楽しむ貴重な機会だ。堪能したい。

The eclipse begins from the top right side of the sun at about 6 a.m., evolving into a perfect, golden "ring of fire," at about 7:30 a.m. This state of "annularity" will last a maximum of five minutes or so.
　午前６時台から太陽の右上がかけ始め、同７時半ごろには、金色のリング状になる。この状態が最大５分間ほど続く。

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Be careful of accident

The moment the edge of the moon overlaps that of the sun should not be missed. Sunlight appears to trickle out from the sun, creating gleaming beads, a phenomenon known as "Baily's beads."
　月と太陽の端が重なる瞬間も見逃せない。すき間から太陽光が漏れ出し数珠状に輝く。「ベイリービーズ」と呼ばれる現象だ。

Viewing parties and other events related to the eclipse are scheduled in many parts of the country.
　各地で観望会などが予定されている。

Given that the phenomenon occurs while people are commuting to school or workplaces, however, care must be taken not to fall while looking up at the sky while walking or cause an accident while driving.
だが、通勤通学の時間帯でもある。歩きながら空を見上げて転んだり、自動車運転中に事故を起こしたりするのは禁物だ。

Avoid observing the sun with the naked eye, which can harm your eyes. Injury of the retina can produce such symptoms as the appearance of black spots in your eyesight and distortion of objects.
　太陽の直視も避けよう。目を痛めかねない。網膜が傷つくと視野の中に黒い斑点が見えたり、物がゆがんで見えたりする。

These symptoms usually disappear in about a week, but more long-lasting serious eye injuries can happen.
１週間程度で回復する例が多いが、時に症状が長期化するので要注意だ。

Special eclipse sunglasses have been on sale for some time. Viewers can also enjoy the phenomenon by way of what is called the pinhole method, observing the sun's images that are projected onto a surface through a small hole made in a piece of paper. Sunshine filtering through leaves can also cast an image of the eclipsed sun onto the ground.
　観測専用めがねが販売されている。紙に小さな穴を開けて太陽光を通し、映し出された像を見るピンホール法もある。木漏れ日でも欠けた太陽が地面に映る。

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and other expert organizations have introduced various observation methods, which can serve as a useful reference.
　国立天文台など専門機関がインターネットで観測法を紹介している。参考になるだろう。

The annular solar eclipse provides astronomical researchers with an excellent opportunity.
　研究者にも絶好の機会だ。

A project has been undertaken to gauge the size of the sun more exactly by recording precisely the scope of the full "ring of fire," or annularity.
　金環日食が見える範囲を精密に記録し、太陽の大きさを従来よりも正確に測定しようという研究プロジェクトも進められている。

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Is Earth cooling?

The sun is an immensely huge lump of gases, and interaction between the gases yields the sun's energy.
　太陽は巨大なガスの塊だ。このガスが反応しエネルギーが生まれる。

Determining the size of the sun more accurately would allow a more detailed understanding of solar energy generation.
大きさがもっと正確に分かれば、エネルギーが発生する仕組みを、より詳しく理解できよう。

Currently, the sun is a focus of attention of experts around the world because of an anomaly: It's activity has been at a low level last seen about 200 years ago, when Earth was in the midst of a cooling trend, according to researchers.
　今、太陽は世界の専門家の関心の的でもある。異変が起きているためだ。約２００年前、地球が寒冷化していた時代と似た、活動の低い状態にあるという。

In addition to findings in studies by researchers in many foreign countries, data obtained in space by Hinode, the Japanese solar observation satellite, point to a steady decline in the sun's activities. Do these observations indicate Earth is again heading for a cooling phase?
　世界各国の研究に加え、日本の太陽観測衛星「ひので」が宇宙で得たデータも、太陽活動の一層の低下を示唆している。再び地球が寒冷化する兆候だろうか。

The importance of solar studies is taking on increasing importance.
　太陽を研究する意義は増している。

Although the designed lifetime of Hinode has ended, no plan has been discussed by the government about the wisdom of developing a successor, while budgetary appropriations for sun-related studies have been trimmed continually.
ところが、すでに寿命を超えている「ひので」の後継機は、政府内で検討もされず、太陽関連の研究予算も減る一方だ。

The government must continue to extend a certain amount of financial support to this field of research.
　政府は、この分野へ一定の支援を続けていくべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2012)
（2012年5月20日01時39分 読売新聞）