Solar eclipse of December 4, 2021 | |
---|---|
Type of eclipse | |
Nature | Total |
Gamma | −0.9526 |
Magnitude | 1.0367 |
Maximum eclipse | |
Duration | 114 s (1 min 54 s) |
Coordinates | 76°48′S 46°12′W / 76.8°S 46.2°W |
Max. width of band | 419 km (260 mi) |
Times (UTC) | |
Greatest eclipse | 7:34:38 |
References | |
Saros | 152 (13 of 70) |
Catalog # (SE5000) | 9556 |
A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Saturday, December 4, 2021,[1][2][3][4] with a magnitude of 1.0367. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's and the apparent path of the Sun and Moon intersect, blocking all direct sunlight and turning daylight into darkness; the Sun appears to be black with a halo around it. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Occurring about 2.5 hours before perigee (on December 4, 2021, at 10:00 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.[5]
This eclipse was unusual as the path of the total eclipse moved from east to west across West Antarctica, while most eclipse paths move from west to east. This reversal is only possible in polar regions. Its path across Antarctica crossed near Berkner Island, traversed an arc over the continent and passed over Shepard Island.[6][7] A partial eclipse was visible for parts of Southern Africa, Antarctica, and Tasmania.
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