Even long durations of totality are brief. Practice what you should look for during the few minutes of totality.
WARNING: Do not observe or photograph the Sun out of eclipse or in partial eclipse without safe solar filters. (No filter needed for totally eclipsed Sun). See Eye Safety
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There is more to a solar eclipse than meets the eye! Eclipse events pass quickly, especially during the brief moments of totality (just over 5-1/2 minutes at our observing site).
Note: Times listed below are approximate local times for the 2009 July 22 China Total Eclipse based on our eclipse location in Anji County (30°27'n, 119°35'E; 8 hours ahead of Greenwich or Universal Time)
Learn this list of events and take it with you to the eclipse. (Terms with links are explained in our glossary.)
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(Click image above for larger version)
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Eclipse Event Check List
« Safe Solar Filter Needed for All Partial Phases »
See Eye Safety Information
Continental Capers will provide a safe solar viewer for visual use for your eyes
(Click images for largest size available. Also links below take you to more information or images.)
FIRST CONTACT
(Partial Eclipse Begins: First Bite; Sun Altitude 38°)
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As Partial Phases of Eclipse Progress
Look For
- Moon's "first bite" at west edge of Sun (use a safe solar filter)
- Moon covering sunspots using binoculars
(if have safe solar filter made for placement in front of binoculars)
- Shadows on ground sharpening
- Projected crescents
(Use pinhole punched in card to project Sun's image onto another card, even a small hole made with your fingers!)
- Darkening of western sky during half hour before totality
- "Unnatural" illumination though still full daylight (light & color changes)
- Gradual drop in temperature
- Mounting tension!
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~8:21 a.m.
Eclipse Begins
"First Bite"
Partial Eclipse
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SECOND CONTACT
(End of Partial Phases and Beginning of Totality)
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As Partial Phase of Eclipse Ends
Look For
- Rapid darkening of sky as Moon's shadow arrives from west
- Moon's shadow in west as a column of darkness races toward you
- Shadow bands, faint, shimmering waves appearing on surfaces & walls (starting a few minutes before totality)
- Corona a few minutes before totality (block disk of Sun)
- Baily's Beads around Moon's dark disk (may only last a few seconds)
- Diamond Ring (may only last a few seconds)
- "Everyone cheering" remove safe solar filter (and eye patch)
- Sun's reddish chromosphere around Moon's black disk
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~9:33 a.m.
Baily's Beads
Diamond Ring
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TOTALITY!
(Duration 5min 38 sec; Magnitude 1.03; Sun Altitude 54°
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During Totality — No Filter Needed
Look For
- Reddish prominences flame-like or arched (use binoculars)
- Corona—nature's crowing glory
(look for structure, shape, asymmetries, streamers, extent, etc.)
- Surface features on the dark lunar disk (difficult—use binoculars)
- Landscape darkness and eerie horizon twilight (is it uniform?)
- Planets (esp. Jupiter & Saturn) and bright stars (esp. Sirius)—see sky map
- "Strange" animal and plant behavior
- "Strange" human behavior! (strong emotions—besides awe, some cry, others get chills, may seem paralyzed or feel primitive terror)
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~9:36 a.m.
Prominences
Corona
Twilight Glow
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THIRD CONTACT
(End of Totality/Beginning of Partial Phases)
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As Total Phase of Eclipse Ends—Put on Safe Solar Filter
Look For
- Everyone groaning (disappointment that it's already over)
- Diamond Ring (may only last a few seconds)
- Baily's Beads around Moon's dark disk (may only last a few seconds)
- Corona for a few minutes even after totality ends (block Sun's disk)
- Rapid brightening of sky as Moon's shadow departs toward east
- Shadow bands again appearing on surfaces & walls for a few minutes after totality
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~9:39 a.m.
Diamond Ring
Baily's Beads
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FOURTH CONTACT
(Partial Eclipse Ends: Last Bite; Sun Altitude 71°)
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As Partial Phases of Eclipse End
Look For
- Moon's shadow in east as a column of darkness races away
- Temperature gradually rising
- "Unnatural" illumination though still daylight (light & color changes)
- Brightening eastern sky
- Projected crescents (use pinhole projection again)
- Shadows on ground sharpening
- Moon uncovering sunspots using binoculars
(if have safe solar filter made for placement in front of binoculars)
- Everyone starts to plan for next eclipse!
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~10:58 a.m.
Partial Eclipse
"Last Bite"
Eclipse Ends
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ASTRO ADVENTURES
CONTINENTAL CAPERS
