June 21, 2001
A DARK MIDDAY IN AFRICA
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LUSAKA, ZAMBIA - The first total solar eclipse of the new millennium plunged
a 100-mile-wide swath across southern Africa into darkness today, an event
that was seen by thousands of visitors from around the world and millions of
local residents. The umbra's path stretched from Angola, through Zambia and
Zimbabwe, to Mozambique and southern Madagascar. Totality was longest in
western Angola at 4.5 minutes, but most eclipse chasers gathered at sites in
and around Lusaka, Zambia, which were immersed in the Moon's umbral shadow
for 3.25 minutes. The actual point of maximal eclipse occurred in the
Atlantic Ocean some 1100 kilometers off the west coast of Angola.
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This total solar eclipse was of historical significance not just because it
was the first of the new millenium. It was also notable because it occurred
on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Southern
Hemisphere. Due to this timing, watchers in areas of extremely clear skies
were able to see the planets Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus shining
brightly along the ecliptic at totality. Many bright stars were also visible
clustered closely around the eclipse, most notably Capella, Betelgeuse,
Aldebaran, Procyon, Rigel and Sirius.
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