Fred Espenak (Predicting and Chasing Solar Eclipses), of the Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, is the world's foremost authority on solar eclipse predictions In 1993 Fred introduced a new series of publications containing detailed predictions, maps and meteorological data for future solar eclipses. Published through NASA in cooperation with the International Astronomical Union, the eclipse bulletins are provided as a public service to both the professional and lay communities, including educators and the media. The latest bulletins in the series cover eclipses of 1998 Feb. 26 and 1999 Aug. 11. Both are available via the Web at http://planets.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html.

The total eclipse of the Sun is indisputably the most spectacular astronomical phenomenon visible to the naked eye. As such, it commands a great deal of attention from both astronomers and the general public. Fred has been predicting and chasing solar eclipses around the world for more than two decades. He will discuss the NASA eclipse bulletins, future eclipses and he will share some of his eclipse adventures through slides and video, including his recent expedition to Mongolia in March 1997.