2001 Total Solar Eclipse

Partial Eclipse - 36.6%
(T01-P115)

The partial phases of the eclipse were well under way when Fred Espenak took this photograph of the Sun at 12:15 UT from Chisamba, ZAMBIA. At that time, the eclipse magnitude (fraction of the Sun's diameter was covered by the Moon) was 0.366 or 36.6%. This corresponds to an obscuration of 25.4% of the Sun's surface area.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Partial Eclipse - 59.4%
(T01-P123)

Fifty-three minutes into the partial phases, over half of the Sun's diameter (59.4%) is covered by the Moon. This photograph was taken at 12:35 UT from Chisamba, ZAMBIA. Although 50.4% of the Sun's surface area was then obscured, there was still no apparent evidence that the eclipse was in progress as seen with the naked eye.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Partial Eclipse - 82.9%
(T01-P131)

With fourteen minutes remaining before totality, 82.9% of the Sun's diameter was eclipsed at 12:55 UT. Even though 79.4% of the Sun's surface area was then obscured, the Sun was still much too bright to look at without using a solar filter.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Diamond Ring
at 2nd Contact
(T01-02)

Seconds before totality begins, the corona appears during the diamond ring effect. Brilliant, ruby-red prominences shine with laser-like intensity.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak
Custom Print Available

Baily's Beads Sequence
at 2nd Contact
(T01-01)

The appearance of Baily's beads presages the start of totality. This amazing sequence of five images shows the Sun's crescent breaking up into a series of beads which quickly vanish against a background of spectacular prominences and the chromosphere.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak
Custom Print Available

Baily's Beads
at 2nd Contact
(T01-111C)

Just seconds before totality begins, the last beads of sunlight shine through deep valleys along the Moon's rugged limb.Baily's beads were first observed by English astronomer Frances Baily in 1836. During the 2001 eclipse, one huge prominence was seen even before the total phase began.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Totality Over Zambia
(T01-09)

The eerie twilight of totality is seen against a backdrop of thorn acacia trees in this wide-angle photograph shot from Chisamba, ZAMBIA. A programmable camera automatically photographed the scene while Espenak operated two telescopes nearby.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon 8008, Sigma 20mm at f/5.6
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak
Custom Print Available

Visual Corona
(T01-04)

Twenty-two separate negatives were computer processed and combined to create an image which captures the visual appearance of the corona as closly as possible. (see: 2001 Composite Photo).

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 90mm Refractor f/9
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak
Custom Print Available

Chromosphere
at 2nd Contact
(T01-113C)

As totality begins, the ruby red chromosphere is visible along the 2nd contact limb.Several spectacular prominences tower above the Sun's surface.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 80mm Refractor f/18
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Eclipse Sequence
(T01-03)

Nine photos were combined into a sequence showing the various phases of the eclipse. The central image of the corona during totality is a composite of 22 separate negatives which reveal subtle details and structures in the Sun's atmosphere.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N90s, Vixen 90mm Refractor f/9
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak
Custom Print Available

Astronomer and Eclipse
(T01-w409)

Observing from Chisamba, ZAMBIA, Fred Espenak obtained this self portrait with his telescopes and the total eclipse using a programmed camera and full frame fisheye lens.

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N8008, Nikkor 16mm fisheye at f/16
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak

Southeast Corona
(T01-2cmpSE)

A close up view of the southeastern quadrant of the corona reveals details in streamers and arches. Twenty-two separate negatives were computer processed and combined to create an image which captures the subtle structures and features. The faint star one diameter east (left) of the eclipsed Sun is the magnitude 4.2 star 1 Geminorum. (see: 2001 Composite Photo).

Total Solar Eclipse of 2001 Jun 21 (Chisamba, ZAMBIA)
Nikon N70, Vixen 90mm Refractor f/9
Photo ©2001 by Fred Espenak