A total solar eclipse took place on November 23, 2003, with a magnitude of 1.0379. 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 was visible from a corridor in the Antarctic region. A partial eclipse was seen from the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra, including the southern tip of South America and most of Australia.
For most solar eclipses the path of totality moves eastwards. In this case the path moved south and then west round Antarctica.
Images
Animated map
Related eclipses
Eclipses of 2003
A total lunar eclipse on May 16. An annular solar eclipse (one limit) on May 31. A total lunar eclipse on November 9. A total solar eclipse on November 23.
Solar eclipses 2000–2003
Saros 152
Metonic series
Notes
References
Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson. "Total Solar Eclipse of 2003 November 23". NASA, July 2003.
NASA graphics
Google Map
Photos: Prof. Druckmüller's eclipse photography site. Flight over Antarctica Images from Antarctica by Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society APOD 8/5/2004, An Antarctic Total Solar Eclipse APOD 11/27/2003, The Long Shadow of the Moon, Total solar eclipse from satellite over Antarctica