Total solar eclipse antarctica 2021

The night before we had another weather briefing and a slide show on what to expect.

I slept well until we were going to our observation site, so I had to put my alarm on. I got a room in the black van, the one we are calling the prison van because of its sinister look.

This time I had no equipment to put up. I even left my tripod in the tent, and I’m glad I did that. It was better to hold my little camera in my hand, keep it warm in my pocket and photograph the surroundings, shadows through holes in a paper and the solar eclipse with my 700 mm.

This time I had no equipment to put up. I even left my tripod in the tent, and I’m glad I did that. It was better to hold my little camera in my hand, keep it warm in my pocket and photograph the surroundings, shadows through holes in a paper and the solar eclipse with my 700 mm.

The temperature started on -12 centigrades and sank down to -20 centigrades, not as cold as last time in the Antarctica. There was hardly any wind, but I had to put on my extra sweater, my outer boots but not my balaclava.

Like always on the Antarctica, the partial phase rushed to totality. First contact of my 24th solar eclipse started at 03.53.45 local Chile time. Second contact was at 04.44.54, and third contact was at 04.45.17. Last contact was at 05.37.15.

I must confess I didn’t take many photographs, I was enjoying the totality.

But after the totality I ran into the tent to join the champainparty to celebrate a perfect eclipse on a perfect sky without any clouds. Like always, filled with celebrationfluid, I staggered out to document last contact. I’m always stunned at the good, clear photo I produce of last contact during that condition.

Now it’s time to plan for the next solar eclipse.