Solar Eclipse 2001


After two nights at the Sambesi river we had to leave the park due to lack of space to stay overnight. So we left Mana Pools NP to get some gas and we met the first eclipse chasers as well as a television team. After we got enough gas we drove through Mana Pools NP and some safari areas to the border of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. After hours of dirty roads and and incredible empty country we arrived at Kanyemba Lodge where we want to watch the eclipse.

In the early hours of June 21st we visited a observing place where we observed the eclipse during the day.

Climbing to the observing place Almost reached the top
Northern direction where the eclipse takes place

During our trip through the wilderness we saw only some eclipse chasers from Africa Safari Tours. Beeing just 20 - 30 kilometers north of the central line we met so more eclipse watchers. We observed from a high place approximately 200 - 300 meters above the Sambesi valley, possibly the best place watching the eclipse.

Direction where the shadow reaches us Our observing place
Preparations
Waiting for the eclipse

I observed the eclipse with a 10 cm f/10 Maksutov telescope. Unfortunately, you can't imagine the feelings and impressions during the eclipse. You have to see an eclipse to understand why many people from all over the world travel to the path of a total solar eclipse. The next one happens next year over southern africa.

Eclipse has started
The moons does it's job
The moons does it's job  
The moons does it's job
Only a few moments til total eclipse Only a few seconds til the corona appears. It got colder and darker. The sun disappeared and the diamond ring appears.
Diamondring
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