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ScienceGlobal issues

Antarctica experiences year's only total solar eclipse

Aditya Sharma
December 4, 2021

The total solar eclipse could also be partially viewed from countries in the deep southern hemisphere. The sun appeared to have a dark shadow over part of its surface.

https://p.dw.com/p/43pBs
A solar eclipse is seen from 'Glaciar Union' scientific polar station in Antarctic, on Chilean territory
The next total solar eclipse will not be in Antarctica until 2039Image: FELIPE TRUEBA/IMAGEN CHILE/REUTERS

A total solar eclipse, the only one in 2021, took place on Saturday and was visible from Antarctica and the surrounding regions.  

The solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the face of the sun, partially or completely blocking it out from the Earth's perspective.

It occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are in a direct line.

Where can I see the eclipse?

While the total eclipse could only be seen in Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina, and other countries in the far south of the world, will be able to catch glimpses of it.

The partial solar eclipse began at 2 am EST (0700 GMT), reaching the greatest point of the total solar eclipse at 2:33 a.m. EST (0733 GMT).

The partial eclipse finally ended at 3:06 a.m. (0806 GMT), according to NASA.

Saturday's event was also being live-streamed by NASA.

"Weather permitting, NASA TV will air a view of the Dec. 4, 2021, total solar eclipse from Union Glacier, Antarctica," the US space agency said.

A solar eclipse is seen from 'Glaciar Union' scientific polar station in Antarctic, on Chilean territory
Stargazers in Antarctica got a chilly, front row seat to this year's total solar eclipseImage: FELIPE TRUEBA/IMAGEN CHILE/REUTERS

Total solar eclipses allow researchers to study how switching the Sun on and off affects space weather.

The northern hemisphere witnessed a partial solar eclipse earlier this year where the moon at least partially obscured the sun for a few hours.

Edited by: Rebecca Staudenmaier