Eclipse 2002

Zimbabwe
And then the rains came...

December 4, 2002
Zimbabwe
The Southern Part of Africa

Click here for NASA graphic of the eclipse path.

The eclipse path of December 4th, 2002 passed over Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and a small part of Mozambique before running across the Indian Ocean to sun set in the south of Australia.  This eclipse was short, reaching just over 2 minutes at the maximum, in the middle of the ocean.  The maximum time for land viewing was southern Africa where the weather forecasts called for the beginning of the rainy season and thus clouds.  Australia was given the best weather prospects but the eclipse would be near sunset and only a scant 30 seconds in duration.

With the above factors in mind, a band of 22 eclipse-chasers selected to go to the dry area of southern Zimbabwe where the duration and chances for favorable weather were maximized.  The gamble paid off, we had wonderful weather in the days preceeding the eclipse, and great weather on the big day itself.  We saw clouds to the south, towards Kruger in South Africa and they never threatened our position.

But what amazed all of us is how the clouds and rains came in the days that followed!  We had grown accustomed to the clear and sunny days that greeted us on entry to Zimbabwe.  After the eclipse we never did get another opportunity to view the night sky under completely clear conditions.
 
 

You missed your flight by five minutes.


Observation details

Rest area at central line on Beitbridge-Bulawayo Road
GPS Coordinate data
South 22 degrees, 5.881 minutes 
East 29 degrees, 58.657 minutes 
1749 feet above sea level 
Duration: 1 minute, 22 seconds
Weather Conditions
    Clear sky overhead and in all directions except to the south (towards South Africa).  Light wisps of cloud did move in our direction but did not obscure the eclipse at any time.  During totality, sky remained clear except towards South and East horizons providing a nice view of the sunset type colors during and after totality as the shadow moved overhead. 

Temperatures were in the high 70's and did dip considerably during totality (recorded minimum by Gordon was 71.6 F). 
Temperature chart image
Dec 4 2002 - Questar Prime Focus - Bill Kramer
EclipseSafaris Group Images
Bill Kramer, Questar 90mm at (1400mm), Fuji 400 Prominences 2nd contact + 10 seconds (1/1000)  * (1/500 second) * (1/250 second)  * (1/125 second)  * (1/60 second)  * (1/60 second)  * (1/15 second)  * (1/15 second)  * (1/8 second)  * (1/500 second)  * (1/500 second)  * (1/1000 second) 3rd Contact, photosphere emerging, automatic feed of film and picture * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second) * (1/1000 second)
Gordon and Angie Telepun, Nikon Coolpix at afocal projection of 40mm eyepiece with 60 mm Takahashi refractor. Corona Composite (in progress) * Eclipse Composite *  Prominences * Inner Corona * First Contact * 
35 mm lens, ISO 200 slide film, f3.8 and an exposure of 1/2 sec.
Denise Kramer, Cannon Rebel 2000, 70-300mm lens Eclipse sky
Dick Bernstein, Questar 90mm at (1400mm) Promineces * Prominences * Inner corona * Inner corona * Chromosphere (near 3rd contact) * 3rd contact * 3rd contact+ * 3rd contact ++
Brad Hoehne, camera on tripod Eclipse sky nearer to 2nd contact * Eclipse sky with Mercury * Eclipse sky nearer to third contact.

Please submit your images of the eclipse, partial phases, or groups to webmaster@eclipse-chasers.com!

Pictures of an Expedition...
Flag of Zimbabwe - Philippe Brun
African Sunset - December 1st - Denise Kramer
Roadside repair break - December 1st - Denise Kramer
Dinner at Lodge - #2 - #3 - December 1st - Philippe Brun
Volcanic Domes - Rock Mountains - December 2nd - Denise Kramer
Police check point - December 2nd - Philippe Brun
Great Zimbabwe Tower - Walls - Courtyard - December 2nd - Denise Kramer
Great Zimbabwe - Hill top - Shona Village - December 2nd - Philippe Brun
Rick completes the Gwanda-West Nicholson marathon - December 3rd - Philippe Brun
Leopard - Lunch time - December 3rd - Philippe Brun
Elephant parade - Riders - December 3rd - Philippe Brun
Porch at Lodge - View off porch - December 3rd - Denise Kramer
Testing equipment - December 3rd - Denise Kramer
Morning arrival at eclipse site - Happy to be here! - December 4th - Denise Kramer
Eclipse setup - Using GPS for N-S line - December 4th - Denise Kramer
Eclipse chasers ready! - December 4th - Gordon Telepun
Rick giving away glasses - Not too many customers! - December 4th - Denise Kramer
Eclipse shadows - December 4th - Brad Hoehne
Eclipse sky and Tree - Under the Baobab - December 4th - Philippe Brun
Partial eclipse through filter held by Bill - December 4th - Brad Hoehne
Bill & Denise at Bulawayo Natural History Museum - December 4th - John Gibb
Eclipse Birthday Girl - December 4th - Philippe Brun
Victoria Falls - Bill & Denise - Rainbow - December 5th - Denise Kramer
Victoria Falls from the air - December 5th - David Schaefer
Breakfast along the Zambezi - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Kayak lessons by Paul - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Did everyone make it? - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Zambezi Beer in the Zambezi - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Zambezi Swim Team - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Survivors of the Zambezi - December 6th - Gordon Telepun
Relaxing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge - Philippe Brun
Crossing the border into Botswana - December 7th - Denise Kramer
The Border - #2 - December 7th - Philippe Brun
Dust devil on the plains, Only the quick survive - December 7th - Denise Kramer
The Hunter on the prowl - December 7th - Denise Kramer
Nancy said "Here kitty-kitty" - December 7th - Denise Kramer
Break time - December 7th - Bill Kramer
Croc on the river side in Chobe - December 7th - David Schaefer
Safari on the Chobe River, Large Lizard . A crowd of Buffalo - December 7th - Denise Kramer
Elephants in the water, Elephant Swimmer - December 7th - Denise Kramer
Zambezi Swim Team Champions - Power boat seems small - December 7th - Philippe Brun
Buffalo - December 7th - Philippe Brun
Giraffe near the road - December 7th - David Schaefer
 
 

Get your kayak out of my river!

Last updated 12/26/2002 



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