Annular Solar Eclipse of September 1, 2016, Observed from Madagascar

September 19, 2016

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September 2016 Viewer's ChoicePhotographer: Kosmas Gazeas
Summary Author: Kosmas Gazeas

Sometimes the new Moon is too far away from Earth to cover the entire solar disk exactly during a total solar eclipse. When this does occur, an annular type solar eclipse is the result. On September 1, 2016, an annular eclipse was observed from Ankarokaroka Canyon, at Ankarafantsika National Park in Madagascar. As shown above, the ring of fire (rim of solar disk) was visible for approximately three minutes -- between second contact and third contact. Note that as the sky darkened, the temperature dropped from 104 F (40 C) to 73 F (23 C), within about a seven minute period. When observing solar eclipses never look directly at the Sun, except during totality, without special eye protection.

Photo Details; Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope equipped with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital camera; 1000 mm; f/10; 1/1250 sec. exposure; ISO 320 at all phases.

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