A partially eclipse sunset captured by expert eclipse photographer Jörg Schoppmeyer as seen from … [+]
Jörg Schoppmeyer (used with permission)
Yesterday up to 54% of the Sun was blocked by the Moon just before sunset as seen from parts of South America. The maximum of this partial solar eclipse occurred in the Drake Passage between mainland South America and Antarctica, but was mostly observed from Chile and Argentina.
From the Pacific coast of Chile it was even possible to see the rare sight of a “horned Sun” at sunset. During the eclipse the Moon appeared to cross the top half of the Sun from left to right—south to north—before sinking below the horizon.
You can watch a full reply of the eclipse from Chile courtesy of Timeanddate.com:
Eclipse photographer Jörg Schoppmeyer was one of a few dedicated solar eclipse photographers in Viña del Mar in Chile to capture the rare spectacle of an eclipsed sunset over the Pacific Ocean. His dramatic photos are at the top of this article, but he also shot this incredible video and took this stunning image:
An eclipsed Sun sets over the Pacific Ocean as captured by eclipse photographer Jörg Schoppmeyer … [+]
Jörg Schoppmeyer (used with permission)
American astronomer Professor Jay Pasachoff was also in Viña del Mar, from where he shot this image of the eclipse as it began:
Professor Jay Pasachoff shot this partially eclipsed Sun from Vina del Mar in Chile on April 30, … [+]
Jay Pasachoff (used with permission)
Here’s the entire event from near Santiago in Chile, thanks to the Instituto de Astrofísica de la Universidad Católica:
Sunspots were visible during the eclipse, which are indicative of a more active Sun. The Sun is currently waxing towards “solar maximum” in the mid-202s. The full Solar Cycle lasts about 11 years.
The eclipse saw the Moon come into an alignment that will also cause a “Blood Moon” total lunar eclipse at the next full Moon. On Sunday, May 15 and into Monday, 16, 2022 the full “Flower Moon” will turn a spectacular reddish color for 84 minutes and be best viewed in North and South America.
The partial solar eclipse on April 30, 2022 as shown by Timeanddate.com
TIMEANDDATE.COM (USED WITH PERMISSION)
When is the next solar eclipse? Saturday’s event was the first solar eclipse of 2022, but not the last. On October 25, 2022 the U.K. will see about 15% of the Sun blocked by the Moon while in Russia, close to the maximum, it will be more like 80%.
Although Saturday’s event was impressive, a partial solar eclipse does not compare to the spectacle of a total solar eclipse. Only during a total solar eclipse can observers get a brief and naked-eye view of the corona. Even a 99% partial solar eclipse is nothing compared to a total solar eclipse. You cannot compare the two.
While a view of the Sun’s corona—revealed only for the precious few moments of totality—is the big prize for eclipse-chasers, the immense scale of any solar eclipse is always incredible to be a part of.
The next total eclipse of the Sun will occur on April 20, 2023 when Western Australia’s Exmouth Peninsular. Timor Leste and West Papua are visited by the Moon’s shadow. It will bring up to 76 seconds of precious totality.
The next total solar eclipse though North America occurs on April 8, 2024 when a 125 miles-wide path of totality visits Mexico, 13 U.S. states and Canada. On that day the Moon will block the Sun for up to a whopping 4 minutes 28 seconds.
An eclipse expert has calculated that a stunning 31,625,000 people in the U.S. currently live inside the path of that total solar eclipse. It’s likely to be the greatest total solar eclipse of most Americans’ lifetime since it’s the last major one until 2045.
Disclaimer: I am the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and author of “The Complete Guide To The Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024.”
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
