Total Solar Eclipses

• USA 2024
• USA 2017
• Australia 2012
• French Polynesia 2010
• China 2009
• Libya 2006
• Australia 2002
• Zimbabwe 2001
• Bulgaria 1999
• Caribbean 1998
• Chile 1994
• Hawaii 1991

See also Annular and Partial Solar Eclipses.

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Eclipse in USA 2024

The observation site was in Daisy State Park in Arkansas, USA for the 8^th April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse (totality lasted 4 min 3 s). Images taken with a DSLR on a 70 mm refractor (Pronto) on an iOptron Strain-Wave mount. ISO 200. Thin cirrus present.

• Partial Phase. A sunspot group is visible. Exposure 1/1000 s.
• Prominences along the limb. Exposure 1/2000 s.
• Solar Maximum Corona. Exposure 1/30 s.
• The Diamond Ring at 3^rd contact and Prominences. Exposure 1/250 s.
• A composite of four images from 1/250 to 1/30 s, to bring out coronal detail.

The corona observed was of the (solar cycle) maximum type. This eclipse was one saros period after the 2006 total solar eclipse, which I observed in Libya.

Eclipse in USA 2017

The observation site was in Guernsey State Park in Wyoming, USA for the 21^st August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (totality lasted 2 min 18 s). Images taken with a DSLR on a 70 mm refractor (Pronto) on a iOptron GEM. ISO 200. The camera was rotated somewhat relative to the horizon.

• The Diamond Ring at 2^nd contact. Exposure 1/250 s.
• The innermost Corona and Prominences just after 2^nd contact. Exposure 1/1000 s.
• A composite of five images from 1/1000 to 1/10 s.
• The same five images from 1/1000 to 1/10 s, but combined to bring out coronal detail.

The corona observed was of the (solar cycle) minimum type. This eclipse was one saros period after the 1999 total solar eclipse, which I observed in Bulgaria.

Outback Eclipse in Australia 2012

Observed from Maitland Downs in the outback of Queensland on 13^th November 2012. Totality lasted 2 minutes 3 seconds. Slight cirrus present. Taken with a Canon 500D DSLR and a 60 mm FS-60C refractor operating at a focal length of 373 mm, driven on a small equatorial mount (Tak Sky Patrol). ISO 200.

• The Diamond Ring at 3^rd contact. Exposure 1/250 s.
• Composite of four images (1/1000 to 1/125 s) of the Corona.
• Composite of four images of shorter exposures (1/2000 to 1/350 s) of the Corona.

The corona observed was of the (solar cycle) maximum type. This eclipse was one saros period after the 1994 total solar eclipse, which I observed in the Chilean Andes.

South Seas Eclipse from Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia 2010

The eclipse of 11^th July 2010 was observed at sea on the Freighter/Cruise ship Aranui 3.The site was about 10 km north of Marokau, one of the Tuamotu islands of French Polynesia (over 700 km east of Tahiti). Totality, which lasted 4 minutes 17 seconds, occured early in the morning. The ship steamed east to avoid cloud.In the seconds before 2^nd contact a small cloud produced an atmospheric halo around the sun. The cloud cleared just in time to get the first diamond ring and the sky remained clear thereafter.

My DSLR succumbed to the tropical rain a few days before the eclipse, but I got a few shots with a Canon PowerShot A590 point and shoot digital camera (Focal length 23 mm) set at f/8. The ISO was set at 200.

• The partial phase taken at 08.26 local time (18.26 UT), 12 minutes before totality. 1/500 s.
• The corona. 1/60 s.
• A beautifully sharp Diamond Ring appeared at 3rd contact. 1/250 s.

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 lasted5 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 Canon 350D DSLR camera with a 55 mm lens (with ISO set at 200). Why only 55 mm focal lenght? - the sky was so cloudy it was impossible to find the sun with my small field-of-view 500 mm focal length catadioptric lens.

• 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 skyshowed the gloomy cloud layer. The time was near mid-totality for this and the previous shot.

This eclipse was one saros period after my first total solar eclipse in Hawaii in 1991.

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 the desert 120 km south of Tobruk, Libya. Totality lasted 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Imaged with a 60 mm FS-60C refractor operating at 390 mm with a Canon 350D DSLR camera (set at ISO 200), undriven.

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

Eclipse in Australia 2002

Observed from Koolymilka in the desert 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 50 mm 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 northern Zimbabwe. Totality lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds. The Photos were taken with a undriven 70 mm Pronto Refractor (480 mm focal length). Kodak Elite Chrome 200 slide film. The eclipse occured on the day of the Winter Solstice.

• Red prominences erupt from the eclipsed sun near the start of totality, 1/1000 s. Also seen is the similiar coloured chromosphere.
• Prominences near the end of totality, 1/15 s.
• The diamond ring at 3^rd contact, 1/250 s.

Eclipse in Bulgaria in 1999

This eclipse had a typical solar maximum corona. It was quite a shock for 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.

The telescope used was a 70 mm refractor (Pronto), focal length 480 mm. 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 480 mm focal length 70 mm refractor (Pronto), undriven. Ektachrome 400 slide film.

• Solar prominences 1/1000 s.
• Prominences; Extreme inner corona. 1/250 s.
• Corona 1/30 s.
• Corona 1/15 s.
• Diamond Ring 1/500 s.

Eclipse in the Chilean Andes 1994

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

• Bright Prominences. 210 mm camera lens used with Kodachrome 64. The exposure was 1/125^th second. Image cropped.
• I have put together a vertical mosaic of two wide angle shots taken by Angela O'Connell. The snow capped Volcán Parinacota, on the Bolivian border, is at left.

Eclipse in Hawaii 1991

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