Total Solar Eclipses

• China 2009
• Libya 2006
• Australia 2002
• Zimbabwe 2001
• Bulgaria 1999
• Caribbean 1998
• Chile 1994
• Hawaii 1991

See also Annular and Partial Solar Eclipses

Eclipse through cloud in China 2009

The eclipse of 22^nd July 2009 observed beside a lake, south-west of Huzhou at Chengshanjou, China. Totality lasted 5 minutes 48 seconds. On the morning of the eclipse it was raining. During the eclipse there was always cloud of varying thickness, with the first minute or so of totality opaque.

The photos, cropped, were taken with a DSLR camera with a 55mm lens. ISO set at 200.

• The partial phase taken through cloud, five minutes before totality.
• The light from the outer parts of the Corona peers through the cloud. Exposure of 3 seconds.
• The Inner Corona shows through the cloud layer, 1 second exposure. The grey colour of the sky showed the gloomy cloud layer. The time was near mid-totality for this and the previous shot.

Eclipse in the Libyan Sahara 2006

The eclipse in the Sahara occured on the 29^th March 2006. I was on the Travelquest/S&T expedition at the site in the middle of a desert 120km south of Tobruk, Libya. Totality lasted 3 minutes 59 seconds. Imaged with a 60mm FS60C refractor operating at 390mm with a DSLR camera (set at ISO 200), undriven.

• Solar Prominence (detail). 1/4000 second.
• Extreme inner corona and prominences. 1/1000 second.
• Corona. 1/60 second.
• Corona. 1/15 second.
• Diamond Ring. 1/250 second.
• Corona. 1/15 second.
• The Earthshine on the Moon during totality. 1/4 second, only lunar disc enhanced.
• Sequence of the Diamond Ring emerging, each frame is 1/250 second.
• Composite of five images from 1/1000 to 1/30 second.

Eclipse in Australia 2002

Observed from Koolymilka in deserts of South Australia on 4^th December 2002. Totality lasted just 29 seconds!

A multiple exposure taken on a single frame of Ektachrome 100 slide film. Taken with a 50mm focal length lens. Partial phases at 1/1000 second and total phase at 1/15 second.

Solstice Eclipse in Zimbabwe in 2001

The eclipse of 21^st June 2001 observed from Ruya river valley on the Lowveld of Zimbabwe. Totality lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds. The Photos were taken with a undriven 70mm Pronto Refractor (480mm focal length). Kodak Elite Chrome 200 slide film.

• Red prominences erupt from the eclipsed sun near the start of totality, 1/1000 second.
• Prominences near the end of totality, 1/15 second.
• The diamond ring at 3^rd contact, 1/250 second.

Eclipse in Bulgaria in 1999

This eclpse had a typical solar minimum corona. It was quite a shock to me to see no equatorial streamers! Observed from Kamen Brag, Bulgaria on the Black Sea Coast. Totality lasted 2 minutes 19 seconds.

One aspect of the Partial Phase that is characteristic of a total eclipse is the central movement of the large enough moon across the sun. This is shown in the image. 70mm refractor (Pronto) with focal 480mm. Solar Filter used. Kodak Elite Chrome 100 slide film. 11^th August 1999.

Eclipse in the Caribbean in 1998

Observed from M.S. Statendam off Curaçao on 26^th February 1998. Totality lasted 3 minutes 37 seconds.

Photos taken with a 480mm focal length 70mm refractor (Pronto), undriven. Ektachrome 400 slide film.

• Solar prominences 1/1000 second.
• Prominences; Extreme inner corona. 1/250 second.
• Corona 1/30 second.
• Diamond Ring 1/500 second.

Eclipse in the Chilean Andes 1994

The Solar Corona over the twin snow capped volcanoes Pomerape and Parinacota. Observed from Lauca National Park in the extreme north of the Chilean Andes. Altitude 4200m. Totality lasted 3 minutes 0 seconds. 3^rd November 1994.

Left: Bright Prominences. 210mm camera lens used with Kodachrome 64. The exposure was 1/125^th second. Image cropped.
Right: I have put together a mosaic of two wide angle shots taken by Angela O'Connell.

Eclipse in Hawaii 1991

Solar prominences and the extreme inner Corona. Observed from Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii on 11^th July 1991. Totality lasted 4 minutes 6 seconds. Telephoto lens set at 210mm.