What types of eclipse are there?

• Solar eclipses occur at new moon, when the moon is between the earth and the sun.
• A total eclipse of the sun is when the moon appears the same size as the sun, and completely blocks the light.
• An annular eclipse is when the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun, creating an intense brilliant ring or annulus.
• A partial eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun, but never completely covers it.
• Lunar eclipses occur at full moon, when the earth is between the sun and the moon.
• On average there is a total solar eclipse somewhere in the world about every 18 months.

What happens during a total eclipse?

We get into the path of totality allowing plenty of time to set up any photographic equipment. Even simple cameras, when fitted with a solar filter, can get surprisingly good shots of an eclipse. Soon after first contact we can see the moon slowly edging across the sun, through our special solar glasses.

It can take up to an hour for the moon to cover the sun completely, so we have plenty of time to witness the natural changes happening around us. Usual daytime noise of birds and other wildlife gradually becomes quieter, as the strength of the sun slowly reduces and it can even feel quite cool. Even before second contact, the major stars can be observed as the sky starts to blacken.

The anticipation of a total eclipse is electric in the final few minutes before the moon fully covers the sun. Totality can be over six minutes, depending on location, and is a truly awe-inspiring event and something that everyone should witness at least once in their lives, the intensity even reducing some people to tears at the sheer beauty. Even at midday, the sky is jet black and full of stars, with the bursting corona like a halo in the heavens. All around the horizon for 360degrees, the sky is a surreal mixture of yellows, reds and greens as we look across to areas that are not in the zone of totality.

At third contact and precisely on time, the first pinprick of sunrays break out from behind the uneven surface of the moon, causing the effect known as Baily's Beads, and the shadow of the moon shoots past us at 700 metres per second. Just as slowly, the earth starts to heat up again, and the wildlife realise that it wasn't nightfall and quickly become active again.

Eclipse viewing tips

• Solar glasses are required for all eclipse viewing except during totality.
• Check the likely weather.
• What time of day does the eclipse occur?
• Terrain, hilly or flat, built up or rural?
• Prepare your camera for eclipse photography and test well beforehand.
• Check to see where the next eclipses are.

See our China eclipse 2009 tours
See our Easter Island eclipse 2010 tours