Boets
Farm, Chichamba, Zambia
General: Time 15h 08m 59s, Alt. 31 degrees, Saros
127, path 169 km, duration 03m37s (Max 04m56s)
Total solar eclipse from Boets Farm, Zambia
Joanne and I were proud having the kids, Michael (13) and Laura (11), with us and showing them the total solar eclipse from Boets farm, not far from Chichamba in Zambia. No cloud was visible. We observed the eclipse with two C90 Celestron telescopes, the sunspotter and a 20x50 binocular. Joanne filmed the entire eclipse with the 25x optical zoom digital Sony camera and I took some general snapshots with a 3x optical zoom digital camera.
The weather station of the Plymouth University did not arrive timely, but we recorded a temperature drop of 13 degrees C, with lowest temperature at 6 minutes after third contact. Humidity increased with 32 percent, with highest value at 27 minutes before forth contact. We had 3 minutes and 37 seconds totality. The eclipse was not very dark. We observed Jupiter, Saturn and Sirius only. The corona was wonderful and many prominences where visible, as well as rather dark lines as spikes in the corona. Our objective was showing and explaining the kids the full spectacle where we are travelling for many times. A full report of Michael and Laura can be read in the special edition of the SENL soon. Best regards, Patrick
Eclipse Report by Laura Appleton
On the 21 st of June 2001 there was an eclipse in Africa. When we arrived in Africa it was very different to England because it was hot and it is quite cold in England. A few days later we went to the eclipse site in Chuchumba where we went to watch it with the rest of the group. As time got nearer we watched it go into 1 st contact and then 2 nd . As I was watching it on the sunspotter I kept going over to the telescopes so I could see it clearer, but as it went into diamond ring I stayed at the telescopes because I wouldn’t of been able to see it on the sunspotter. Suddenly totality was amazing I had never seen anything like it. It was my first total eclipse and was very pleased because it was clear and bright. The diamond rings were great and very bright as well. As it went into 3 rd and 4 th contact it became light and every one clapped and cheered. The rest of the holiday was excellent and I can’t wait for the next eclipse in Africa in December 2002.
This report was written by Laura Appleton (11 years).
Picture by Patrick Poitevin
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