Solar eclipse of August 7, 1869

Solar eclipse of August 7, 1869
Map
Type of eclipse
Nature Total
Gamma 0.696
Magnitude 1.0551
Maximum eclipse
Duration 228 sec (3 m 48 s)
Coordinates 59°06′N 133°12′W / 59.1°N 133.2°W / 59.1; -133.2
Max. width of band 254 km (158 mi)
Times (UTC)
Greatest eclipse 22:01:05
References
Saros 143 (15 of 72)
Catalog # (SE5000) 9209

A total solar eclipse occurred on August 7, 1869. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. It path of totality was visible from eastern Russia, Alaska, across Canada, and the northeastern United States. A partial eclipse occurred across all of North America.

Observations

George Davidson

In 1869, astronomer and explorer George Davidson made a scientific trip to the Chilkat Valley of Alaska. He told the Chilkat Indians that he was especially anxious to observe a total eclipse of the sun that was predicted to occur the following day, August 7. This prediction was considered to have saved them from an attack.[1]

It is a part of solar Saros 143.

Notes

  1. August 7, 1869, Astronomer impresses Indians with eclipse George Davidson, a prominent astronomer and explorer, impresses Alaskan Native Americans with his ability to predict a total solar eclipse.

References

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