[Image of Eclipse] [Image of Eclipse]

Total Solar Eclipse - 11 August 1999

On Wednesday, August 11, 1999 a total solar eclipse will begin in the Atlantic Ocean, cross central Europe, the Middle East, and India. A significant partial eclipse will be visible in northern Africa, most of Europe, and parts of Asia. More information on the exact times and percentage of coverage is given in the links below. The charts above are from the Solar Eclipse Bulletin, NASA RP 1398, by Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson.

The important thing to remember is never look directly at a partial eclipse without proper eye protection. Permanent eye damage can result. It is best to use a pinhole camera or other method to project the image of the sun onto a surface to look at. To look at an eclipse directly, use only number 14 welder's glass, a mylar filter, or a metal-on-glass filter bought from a welding supply shop or astronomical outlet. Do NOT use exposed film, sunglasses, smoked glass, polarizing filters, or photographic neutral density filters. These will not filter out infrared radiation, which can damage your eyes in a very short time. Telescope "sun filters" which screw into the eyepiece should also be avoided, as they can overheat and crack when sunlight is coming through them, and retinal damage can occur instantly. See below for more details.

Eclipse Information

NASA's Eclipse Page
Total Solar Eclipse of 1999 August 11 - NASA Eclipse Bulletin
Tips on Eye Safety during an eclipse - School of Optometry, University of Waterloo

NSSDCA Planetary Home Page
NSSDCA Home Page
NASA
Author/Curator:
Dr. David R. Williams, dave.williams@nasa.gov
NSSDCA, Mail Code 690.1
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
+1-301-286-1258

NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 08 November 2016, DRW