Solar eclipse of February 15, 1961


A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Wednesday, February 15, 1961, with a magnitude of 1.036. 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. Occurring about 21 hours after perigee, the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.
Totality was visible from France, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria including the capital city Sofia, Romania including the capital city Bucharest, and the Soviet Union. The maximum eclipse was recorded near Novocherkassk. A partial eclipse was visible for parts of Europe, North Africa, Northeast Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia.
The date of this eclipse was the exact date of the Lunar New Year, celebrated in parts of Asia where a partial solar eclipse was visible.

Observation

A team from the University of Texas observed the total eclipse in Pisa, Italy, mostly studying the solar irradiance with a wavelength below 1 centimeter. At that time, coronagraphs had already allowed coronal observation in the visible light band so it could be observed at any time, not just during total solar eclipses, but instruments allowing millimeter-wave band observations were still lacking. Therefore, it was still necessary to make such observations during a total solar eclipse. Arcetri Observatory in Florence, Italy also made observations.

In popular culture

The crucifixion scene in the 1961 film Barabbas was shot during this eclipse.

Eclipse details

Shown below are two tables displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. The first table outlines times at which the Moon's penumbra or umbra attains the specific parameter, and the second table describes various other parameters pertaining to this eclipse.
EventTime
First Penumbral External Contact1961 February 15 at 06:09:22.0 UTC
First Umbral External Contact1961 February 15 at 07:29:58.3 UTC
First Central Line1961 February 15 at 07:31:35.6 UTC
First Umbral Internal Contact1961 February 15 at 07:33:15.5 UTC
Ecliptic Conjunction1961 February 15 at 08:10:53.4 UTC
Greatest Duration1961 February 15 at 08:18:50.8 UTC
Greatest Eclipse1961 February 15 at 08:19:48.3 UTC
Equatorial Conjunction1961 February 15 at 08:43:06.4 UTC
Last Umbral Internal Contact1961 February 15 at 09:06:05.1 UTC
Last Central Line1961 February 15 at 09:07:44.1 UTC
Last Umbral External Contact1961 February 15 at 09:09:20.5 UTC
Last Penumbral External Contact1961 February 15 at 10:30:05.6 UTC

ParameterValue
Eclipse Magnitude1.03604
Eclipse Obscuration1.07339
Gamma0.88302
Sun Right Ascension21h54m38.6s
Sun Declination-12°42'31.9"
Sun Semi-Diameter16'11.4"
Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax08.9"
Moon Right Ascension21h53m44.3s
Moon Declination-11°50'22.7"
Moon Semi-Diameter16'38.8"
Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax1°01'05.5"
ΔT33.6 s

Eclipse season

This eclipse is part of an eclipse season, a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months later; thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year. Either two or three eclipses happen each eclipse season. In the sequence below, each eclipse is separated by a fortnight.
February 15
Descending node
March 2
Ascending node
Total solar eclipse
Solar Saros 120		Partial lunar eclipse
Lunar Saros 132

Related eclipses

Eclipses in 1961

A total solar eclipse on February 15.

Metonic

Tzolkinex

Half-Saros

Tritos

Solar Saros 120

Inex

Triad