In Photos And Video: Antarctica’s Exclusive Eclipse Of The Sun Attracts Intrepid Travelers—And Humpback Whales

A total solar eclipse occurred early this morning across one of our planet’s most remote and beautiful regions. It was, as always, utterly surreal. 

For some the 1 minute 30 seconds (or so) event at 07:00 UTC was marred by low and high cloud in the Scotia Sea. There were 14 cruise ships in the 290 miles-wide path of totality, but so far there have been no reports of clear views. 

While a view of the Sun’s corona—revealed only for the precious few monies of totality—is surely the big prize for all eclipse-chasers, the feeling was nevertheless as surreal as always. 

“We wound up much further to the north of where everyone else appeared to go around the South Orkney Islands,” said says Tyler Nordgren, a space artist and former astronomy educator who will be lecturing for Betchart Expeditions on the M/V Hondius. “But in the end, even though we had hints of sunlight at one point, all we experienced was the sudden rush of darkness as the moon’s shadow passed overhead.”

What was also very obvious on the Ocean Victory was the sharp drop in temperature just prior to totality as light levels were plunging. The full range of human senses affected by totality can only be triggered by experiencing it from ground-level. 

Some guests on the Ocean Victory got a glimpse of the partially eclipsed Sun afterwards for a few seconds. Shortly after there were two sightings of humpback whales alongside the ship. 

For some on and above the “White Continent” this eclipse did also come with a view of the corona. 

NASA live-streamed the event from Union Glacier Camp, courtesy of Theo Boris and Christian Lockwood of the JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition.

You can find a playback of their coverage here: 

The JM Pasachoff Antarctic Expedition also observed the eclipse from 41,000 feet on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

Despite clouds for the intrepid eclipse-chasers below, their enthusiasm to experience more remains. “Despite the weather people still asked the usual question after it was done,” said Nordgren. “When’s the next one?”

The next total solar eclipse will occur on April 20, 2023 in Western Australia, Timor Leste and West Papua. Though technically a “hybrid” solar eclipse all the locations the Moon’s shadow strikes land will experience a short totality of between 62 and 75 seconds.  

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.