The only overall solar eclipse of 2021 occurred under specifically separated situations today, sweeping over sparsely inhabited Antarctica and surrounding locations to produce an incredible sight visible to only a couple of dedicated eclipse chasers in its course. The partial stage of the solar eclipse began Saturday (Dec. 4) at 2 a.m. EST (0700 GMT), and consisted of less than two minutes of totality at 2:33 a.m. EST (0733 GMT), prior to ending at 3:06 a.m. (0806 GMT), according to NASA. The area firm broadcast live views of the eclipse as seen by scientists Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition from their observing point in Union Glacier, Antarctica.Since solar eclipses take place when the new moon passes in front of the face of the sun, just a narrow band of Earth fell under the moons extremely small shadow. The total eclipse swept throughout the National Science Foundations Palmer Station (typical summertime population, about 40 humans) and in partial stage, across the much bigger McMurdo Station (generally about 1,000 people.) Related: The 8 Most Famous Solar Eclipses in HistoryImage 1 of 5The total solar eclipse of 2021 begins in this still from a video recorded by Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition on Dec. 4, 2021. (Image credit: Theo Boris/Christian Lockwood/ JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition/NASA TELEVISION) Image 2 of 5The minute of totality from the overall solar eclipse of Dec. 4, 2021 as seen by Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition from their observing point in Union Glacier, Antarctica. (Image credit: Theo Boris/Christian Lockwood/ JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition/NASA TELEVISION) Image 3 of 5As the sun glanced back out from behind the moon, it created the so-called “diamond ring” result throughout the total solar eclipse of Dec. 4, 2021. (Image credit: Theo Boris/Christian Lockwood/ JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition/NASA TELEVISION) Image 4 of 5After totality, the moon advanced its course throughout the face of the sun, exposing a crescent sun by Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition from their observing point in Union Glacier, Antarctica on Dec. 4, 2021. (Image credit: Theo Boris/Christian Lockwood/ JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition/NASA TV) Image 5 of 5The end of the partial stage of the total solar eclipse of Dec. 4, 2021 is seen in this still from a video caught by Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition from their observing point in Union Glacier, Antarctica on Dec. 4, 2021. (Image credit: Theo Boris/Christian Lockwood/ JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition/NASA TELEVISION) But the most significant population of Antarctic audiences was most likely emperor penguins. Its difficult to forecast from a distance how many of them saw a total view of the eclipse. A 2020 quote of the Antarctic-based population from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nevertheless, suggests there depend on 650,000 total people in the area– or 650 birds for every researcher at McMurdo.From the air, a few lucky people were anticipated to see the show, pandemic quarantine conditions enabling. Two picturesque flights were scheduled to leave from Santiago, Chile and from Melbourne, Australia to grab a quick glimpse of totality, though at a pricey cost for passengers, according to Forbes. Prices on the Chile chance, for example, ranged from $6,500 as much as $9,100 per row of 3 seats.If we consider partial phases of the solar eclipse, where the moon took a “bite” out of the sun, the population count of human beings who saw the event substantially leaps. The southernmost areas within Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa saw a little shadow of the lunar disk moving over the sun, according to an interactive map from Time and Date.A NASA map of the path the overall solar eclipse of Dec. 4, 2021 will take across Antarctica. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA) Otherwise, the only other big population who got to see the eclipse were virtual audiences in webcasts like NASA and the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition, which recorded sensational views of the total solar eclipse from Union Glacier, Antarctica, although the stream depended on weather.While this overall eclipse wasnt seen by numerous personally, unless we count the penguins, you can depend on a much bigger human population for the next overall solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. That eclipse will pass over south and east Asia, according to NASAs eclipse site.The next partial solar eclipse will take place much earlier, on April 30, 2022, and will noticeable from the southeastern Pacific Ocean and parts of South America. Another partial solar eclipse will occur on Oct. 25, 2022 and will show up from parts of Europe, northeast Africa, the Mideast and western Asian. You can get ready for those solar eclipses with our guide on how to photo a solar eclipse safely. Our best electronic cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography guides will assist you choose the very best equipment to prepare for the next solar eclipse, too.Editors Note: If you snap a remarkable solar eclipse image and want to share it with Space.coms readers, send your image( s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected] finest offers on eclipse glasses: Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
The only total solar eclipse of 2021 took location under especially isolated circumstances today, sweeping over sparsely inhabited Antarctica and surrounding areas to produce an incredible sight visible to only a few devoted eclipse chasers in its path. The space firm broadcast live views of the eclipse as seen by researchers Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition from their observing point in Union Glacier, Antarctica.Since solar eclipses happen when the new moon passes in front of the face of the sun, only a narrow band of Earth fell into the moons really little shadow. (Image credit: Fred Espenak/NASA) Otherwise, the only other big population who got to see the eclipse were virtual audiences in webcasts like NASA and the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition, which recorded stunning views of the total solar eclipse from Union Glacier, Antarctica, although the stream was dependent on weather.While this overall eclipse wasnt seen by numerous in person, unless we count the penguins, you can count on a much larger human population for the next overall solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. That eclipse will pass over south and east Asia, according to NASAs eclipse site.The next partial solar eclipse will take place much previously, on April 30, 2022, and will visible from the southeastern Pacific Ocean and parts of South America.