HI! this website is great! Actually, I was borned on 11st June 1983 in Indonesia. It happenned during the total solar eclipse, and thus my parents named me after the extraordinary incident; Gerhana (Indonesian word for Eclipse).

From this page, I learnt more about solar eclipse which happenned when I was borned. Actually, I would love to know how and what did the people (who experienced the eclipse) feel. Anyway, it is a wonderful site. Keep up the good work.

Thanks.

KryssTal Reply: Selamat Pagi.

Terima Kasih for your nice email. Are you Gerhana Matahari? I saw the eclipse in Tuban (Java). Where in Indonesia were you born? And what time?

Have we spoken before? I fell into your wonderful web site, and then realized you may be the individual behind the Eclipse web ring, which I joined a few months ago? You have a wonderful site, I must say!

KryssTal Reply: Thank you - yes the eclipse ring is me - I remember a Dan joining.

I would like to show you something new that I have been working on. I have managed to acquaire this inviting sentence:

in 111 languages!!!!!! Shooting for more....

Can Talaat help with any of the Pakistani languages? I have run into a brick wall with some of them (Pashto, Saraiki, and Sindhi), and she could check my Punjabi too. Tell me what you think:

Greetings from the August Eclipse '99 Web Site

Dear Kryss,

First of all, thank you for supporting the August Eclipse '99 web site, and thank you for the link! I shall reciprocate with a link to your excellent site on my links page. And yes, you can use one of my images.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind sentiments and for the use of your image. I shall of course, credit you with a copyright notice.

Reading your site, it looks like you're an adventurous eclipse hunter who sees eclipses spiritually. Personally, I find it quite incredible that people should want to rent out their Cornish homes to complete strangers, so that they can then 'be away from the eclipse'. But then I guess it's true, money does talk the sense out of people!

KryssTal Reply: I'm not particularly spiritual but eclipses are spectacular! If this eclipse was not the only one visible in my own country during my life, I would have gone to Esfahan in Iran (best sky and colourful mosques). Let's hope it's a nice day.

Hi,

Really like the site. Thank you for sending it to us. Will put a description of + link to it from our links page on the BBC Online Eclipse site.

Where will you be for this eclipse? Will you be trying to find a deserted beach in Cornwall? Would you like to write us a report of the eclipse, and possibly a short profile of why you like to "chase eclipses" to go up on the site beforehand?

All the best

KryssTal Reply: I used to watch the stars when I was 10 with a friend of mine. We used to read books by Patrick Moore and found out about the Cornwall 1999 eclipse way back in the 60s.

It all started then.

After college, I decided to travel in South East Asia. While checking out the region, I discovered that a total eclipse of the sun would occur in Java during my travels. I remembered my youthful expectations of seeing an eclipse in England. I changed my route to make sure that I saw it. It was the most breath-taking site I'd ever seen; much more spectacular than I'd read about. I became addicted to eclipses. Since then I travel to exotic locations, see the eclipse and carry on travelling for several months.

It's fun to arrive early. Total eclipses of the sun occur, on average once every 350 years IN ONE PLACE. Therefore when I arrive in a new town to see an eclipse, the locals have never seen one before and know nothing about it. The expectation rises during the build-up and that is enjoyable.

I look forward to seeing a link to my site.

Regards and clear skies...

I've just visited your home page. Thank you for providing we with the information I wanted to know about the eclipse in Cornwall later this year.

Please could you tell me: what is the best way to photograph an eclipse. Do you use a conventional camera / SLR and should you take the phohotgraph during totality or when it's just about to happen?

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind comments. A good place to find details information about eclipse photography is Fred Espenak's site.

I use an SLR with a 200 - 400 mm lens. I use fast film (400 - 800 ASA). I cover it with mylar filter during the partial phases and remove this during totality. During totality, I set the camera to 1/1000s. I then take lots of shots at different f stops thus bracketing the exposure.

Then I stop and look!

With a standard lens, you can photograph the scenery / sky as the shadow approaches, say from 10 minutes before totality.

Hope you enjoy the eclipse.

Hi there Kryss,

My name is Clint and I am also an avid eclipse chaser. I loved your accounts of your trips. Your writing has a wonderful, lyrical quality.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind words and sentiments.

Will you be on Aruba for the upcoming Feb. event?

KryssTal Reply: No, we hope to be in Punto Fijo on the northern Venzuelan coast.

I will arrive by cruise ship that morning. I spoke to the president of a cruise line 2 years ago about doing this trip, he scheduled it and it sold out in five weeks -- one year ahead of time. Thus I get a complimentary cabin. Not bad eh?

KryssTal Reply: Very nice!

I am planning to take a group of folks to Hungary in Aug of 1999 to see the eclipse. I imagine that you will try your luck around Cornwall. That eclipse takes place two days after my 39th birthday.

KryssTal Reply: If this eclipse were not the only one in England during our lifetimes, we would probably see it in eastern Turkey. But we want to savour the atmosphere in our own country. I know we are taking a chance with the weather.

I was in Mongolia, in the siberian blizzard white out that cleared a fuzzy hole around the sun 25 mins. before totality. We were so glad that we got to see fuzzzy totality. The corona looked like beads or flower petals around the black lunar disc.

KryssTal Reply: We had planned to go, but the expense of getting visas and the lack of infrastructure and the chance of bad weather made us decide not to go. Some friends from France did go and were snowed out so we have not regreted our decision.

Happy eclipse chasing. Perhaps we will meet in some part of the world. Best wishes for clear skies.

KryssTal Reply: And to you also a clear eclipse. It would be very nice to meet you and discuss our eclipse adventures.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind comments and a happy new year.

Found your page on the eclipse in General Santos City (GSC) very entertaining. I was also in GSC in 1988 but missed the Eclipse.

KryssTal Reply: I'm sorry to hear that - they only happen once every 350 years for a location so they won't get another chance.

My wife was in GSC at the time but also missed the Eclipse as she was PREGNANT and was kept 'safe' inside the family home. (we were waiting for a VISA to be approved)

KryssTal Reply: We met an American woman living in Chile (1994) who was kept 'safe' by her husband's family.

I have been back a number of times and you would not know the place now.

- A new operational International Airport.
- Two very large modern standard shopping centres.
- A dozen plus new hotels providing accomadation to International standards.
- Lots of new restaurants.

But guess what!

The level of ignorance would be about the same today as you experienced in 1988.

KryssTal Reply: People asked me which part of the USA England was in and what language we spoke in England. They can't help it - 400 years of the pope followed by 90 years in Disneyland is not a recipe for knowledge!

It goes from bad to worse - they are now embracing the radical evangelical Christianity of the US. My wife on the other hand is now an Atheist and can name the Capital of just about every country in the World.

KryssTal Reply: Thanks for your comments - how did you find my page? Did you look for GSC?

I searched for General Santos City in Altavista.

As a veteran eclipse chaser of 6 totals and 3 annulars, I wish to express my pleasure in reading your articles on the 5 eclipses. They were very well written & interesting. I was also in General Santos in '88 and saw a fabulous corona. A pregnant lady asked me if her fetus was safe, I was interviewed on radio, and we saw first-timers crying. Your article brought back many memories.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind words. Where did you see the eclipse in General Santos? Which are the other five eclipses you have seen? Are you planning to go to South America for the next. We are actually planning a trip which will last for four months and cover countries in South America that we missed in 1994 - 1995 when we travelled from Chile to Mexico along the Andes.

I went to the Philippines with the Roya Astronomical Society of Canada - Toronto Centre (RASC).

22 of our group observed from the 3rd story roof of the engineering building of the Mindanao State University, 15km south of the center line. We were extremely lucky to see the eclipsed sun in a huge clear patch of sky, surrounded by clouds. The corona had 4 fabulous wings, looking like a dragonfly in the sky.

Our picture is in Sky & Tel in July 1988, p.101 (my wife & I are in the 2nd row on the right edge). That was my 2nd total eclipse.

KryssTal Reply: I'll try and check that issue out - I was on the roof of City Hall with all the journalists.

My first eclipse was in Gimli, Manitoba with the RASC on Feb 26, 1979. My wife cried after totality with emotion.

KryssTal Reply: I read about that one - preseumably you saw it in Canada.

Yes, it was in Canada.

The third eclipse was at 42,000 feet over Finland with Scientific expeditions, with Fred Espenak as group leader.

KryssTal Reply: You've met Fred Espenak? You have certainly flown with the gods!

Fred Espenak is a friend of mine. Saw him again in April '97 ih Mississauga, Ont., Canada where I live at a private party celebrating Hale-Bopp and his recent trip to Mongolia.

Fourth totality was at Santiago, Mexico - in the soccer field in July 1991. We had cloud covering the sun just like you did.

KryssTal Reply: Very close to us. We passed Santiago and proceded a further 2 or 3km to a small hill nearby.

Fifth totality was 7 minutes!!! over the Atlantic ocean at 35,000 feet. We saw such a long totality because Glen Schneider did superb navigation. The corona was spectacular with an arrow-straight 2 1/2 degree long streamer.

KryssTal Reply: We've met Schneider - University of Arizona? We met him in a hotel in Delhi when we visited some friends from Chicago during the 1995 eclipse. He told us he was into chasing lunar shadows in planes!

Sixth totality was Huachacalla, Bolivia with Tuthill and group on Nov.3, 1994.

KryssTal Reply: We visisted Potosi in Bolivia after the eclipse and got to use the university's telescope. Those high altitude eclipses are a bit stark, eh?

Also saw almost total eclipse of May 30, 1984 from S.C.

KryssTal Reply: S.C. ?

South Carolina USA. Saw the diamond necklace eclipse. The eclipse path was only 5 km wide. Used topo map to find centreline. Shadow bands were spectacular.

Will be in Curacao on Feb. 26, 1998. I would also enjoy meeting you. If you happen to be in Curacao, e-mail and we can meet.

KryssTal Reply: We'll be in Venezuela along the northern coast. I include the rest of our itinerary in case our paths cross.

P.S. I've also written varoius articles on eclipses for my local astronomy club newsletter.

KryssTal Reply: Any copies?

Here is the article that I wrote about the 1990 trip:

Meanwhile - Up in the Air

After witnessing the solar eclipse in Mindanao in March 1988, my wife, Elizabeth, and I could not bear waiting more than three long years to Mexico in July ‘91. We decided that we had to be in Finland on July 22, 1990 for the next total eclipse. Because of the poor chance of seeing the eclipse from the ground, we joined Virginia Roth’s Scientific Expeditions to view totality from the air.

Thus, on July 22 at 4:52 a.m. we were aloft at 35,000 feet above southeastern Finland in one of three Finnair DC 9’s that rendezvoused with the moon’s shadow. The group of ninety people included such notables as Jay Pasachoff, Fred Espenak, Fr. Ron Royer and Leif Robinson (editor of Sky & Telescope). The morning had dawned clear in Helsinki, but a low cloudbank obscured the one degree high sun during totality there. From our plane high above the clouds, it also appeared that most of Finland would not see totality due to the clouds.

Shortly before totality from the right side of the plane, we witnessed the unforgettable sight of the moon’s shadow descending from space into the earth’s atmosphere and first touching the surface at the Gulf of Finland. It had the appearance of an incredible black cone falling from the sky.

Only one minute later the umbra reached our plane, and we rushed to the left side to see the first diamond ring disappear into total eclipse. The eclipsed sun stood only a few degrees above the cloud tops with bright Jupiter close to the upper right. Two enormous prominences were visible during all of totality at nine and ten o’clock. The corona was small but extremely complex with numerous spicules, a large curved streamer at the two o’clock position and a very obvious gap in the corona at three o’clock. All too soon the second diamond ring flashed forth and we saw the shadow rush away into Russia.

It was overwhelming. We were stunned speachless. Now we wait impatiently till July 11, 1991.

Chris Malicki

Hi Kryss.

Here is the article I wrote about the 1992 total eclipse:

TOTALITY JUNE 30, 1992

The path of the total solar eclipse of June 30, 1992 lay almost entirely over the waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. The only landfall was in the extreme south of Brazil and in Uruguay where the eclipsed sun would sit only a few degrees above the horizon just after sunrise. Combine this with probable clouds in the southern winter and observing prospects from the ground were poor. Airborne observing seemed the best option. Thus, on the early morning of June 30, fifty people including three Canadians (my wife Elizabeth, Bill Jackson from Simcoe Ontario and I) boarded a DC10 in Rio de Janeiro on the great adventure of flying into the lunar shadow. The expedition was organized by Amateur Astronomers Inc. of New Jersey with Roger Tuthill as leader.

All aspects of the flight were carefully planned to optimize observations. All seats on the left side of the plane were removed and we each had our own window with the sun directly outside. The windows had been meticulously cleaned inside and out as if they were the finest lenses. A strict schedule for take-off was adhered to (at 9:32 UT). Glen Schneider a self-confessed “eclipse nut” and computer expert navigated the plane, updating the pilot (who in his enthusiasm took his own pictures of the eclipse during totality with the plane on auto-pilot) every ten minutes as to speed and direction of the plane, taking into account the time, windspeed, altitude etc.

Thanks to Glen’s superb navigation, we crossed the centre line at 11h25m UT at lat 250 S. and long 270 40 min W. The result was a wonderful eclipse seen under crystal clear skies at 41,000 ft. with a whopping 6 min 14 sec of totality (compared to 4 min 33 sec on the ocean surface).

There are skeptics who think that experiencing an eclipse from a plane is a poor alternative to ground observing. To them I would say that it sure beats being clouded out. In addition, the edge of the moon’s shadow can be seen and photographed dramatically on the surface and clouds far below. Telephoto shots on a tripod and videos are successful. But most important, the awesome beauty of the sun’s intricate corona can be savoured in all its glory. No photo can do the corona justice. Many veteran eclipse chasers don’t waste time with photos but spend every possible second looking at the corona.

The June 30 corona was as beautiful as any I’ve seen. There were two dominant plumes 1 1/20 long at the 10:30 and 4:30 positions (in reference to a clock face) and two shorter ones at 3 and 9 o’clock. A beautiful thin arrow-straight streamer extended 2 1/20 towards Venus (which itself was only 50 from the sun). Polar brushes were very prominent at the north pole of the sun (at 7:30) and less so at the south pole. Near the north pole a brilliant coronal arc curved one solar diameter downwards. An obvious coronal gap divided the two plumes on the left side of the sun. In stark contrast to the large prominences which we enjoyed at our other four total eclipses, this eclipse had only two tiny prominences visible right after the first diamond ring.

Helped by the extreme clarity of the sky, Liz was able to see Sirius high above, and Castor and Pollux near Venus. A very brilliant diamond ring heralded the end of totality. I was able to spot the corona 9 seconds before second contact, and follow it naked eye (being careful to hide the crescent sun with my hand) for 18 seconds after totality. Venus was visible naked eye 1 min 26 sec after totality. We then watched the moon’s shadow race away over the Atlantic towards Africa.

What an exhilarating experience to be able to see this great event from the clarity of a high clean plane window, especially the intricate beauty of the outer corona that the clouds ruined last year! Everyone on the plane that I talked to was adamant that they would be in South America on Nov. 3, 1994 for the next totality. And several in our group vowed that they wouldn’t miss any more total eclipses for the rest of their lives. I plan to be one of those.

Chris Malicki

P.S. My wife Liz's star observations were mentioned in Sky and Tel. Nov 1992, p. 581

KryssTal Reply: Hi Chris

I have just received and read your two articals. What can I say? They made the hair on the back of my neck stand on edge. I think I may have to do one of these high altitude eclipse trips. I must admit to enjoying the ground based versions beacuse of the reaction of local people, especially arriving at a town or village up to a week before and savouring the build up.

As you saw from my itenerary, we'll be travelling south to Argentina after the eclipse so we'll be away for four months. This will not be one of our longer trips for two reasons:

Argentina and Brazil are very expensive places since they pegged their currencies to the doller.

Being football (soccer) fans we want to be in Europe for the 1998 Soccer World Cup being held in France.

If we don't meet in 1998 perhaps we can welcome you the the UK in 1999. It will not be the best place for weather but it will be the only eclipse in our own country during our lives so we plan to stay here for it. We are already beginning our safari plans for 2001!

KryssTal Reply: Hi there

Just back from 4 months in South America. I've begun adding a Venezuela page on my web site. Check it out.

Enjoyed you web page and write up on Venezuela

KryssTal Reply: How did your eclipse trip go?

I observed from Watamulla, in the northern most part of Curacao with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

We had a sprinkle of rain in the morning, then it cleared up and the sky was wonderful during the entire eclipse. Two things went wrong for me :

1) the batteries of my tape recorder fell out and I lost all of my description of the corona;

2) foolishly, I neglected to remove a translucent lens cap from the diagonal of my C8 and didn't know why I had such poor views of the eclipse through the scope. I was wise enough to not spend more than a few seconds with the C8.

The positive things were numerous:

1) saw fabulous shadow bands 1 minute before totality.

2) witnessed both diamond rings naked eye; specifically I witnessed the first naked eye appearance of the corona 45sec. before totality, a sight that I treasure during any total eclipse.

3) spent a lot of time observing and memorizing the shape of the corona - observed with 11x80 binocs on tripod - a great view. I was impressed especially by a straight streamer pointing in the direction of Jupiter; there was also a nice coronal hole at the north pole of the sun.

4) enjoyed seeing the 3 bright planets Venus, Jupiter, Mercury during totality. 5) thought the eclipse was dark compared to other eclipses. 6) measured temperatures during eclipse (drop of 9 deg C.)

Other comments: The corona was very intricate, but quite small and somewhat faint compared to other eclipses I've seen. My friend Randy Attwood who observed from the northern Galapagos had the same impression. Also, the prominences were small and insignificant.

All in all, it was beautiful. All the best.

Very impressed by your site and have added my web page [to the ring].

Please amend your pages to spell "occurrence" correctly, it appears at least twice.

KryssTal Reply: I'm afraid you are wrong. I found it spelled wrong THREE times! Thank you for spotting it. I have made the necessary corrections.

Dear Kryss,

I have just spent the last hour or two surfing your web-site, which is of special interest to me since my book, Solar Eclipse, will be published by Constable in a few weeks time. I have already mentioned your web-site to the publishers, and you could well be hearing from them.

I would like to join your Eclipse Chasers WebRing, but your form on the web asked for my URL name or number, and I don't know what that is. If you could explain, I shall join.

I should much like to meet you, particularly to hear about popular reactions to eclipses. If found your descriptions relating to Phillipines, Java and Chile quite fascinating. My book contains some anthropological material which is also certain to be new to you.

Where do you plan to be on August 11?

Best wishes

As we will be traveling in Mexico during the Feb. 16 [1999] solar eclipse I am curious as to the kind of filters you use to photo it and do you know how eclipses effect us astrologically?  At what time is the eclipse?

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your interest in eclipses. Unfortunately, the Feb 16 eclipse will happen on the other side of the world from you. It will be visible in the Indian Ocean, Antarctica and Australia.

I will assume that you live in the USA (from your email address). The next solar eclipse visible for you will be a pair of partial eclipses on 31 July 2000 (in the North West USA, West Canada and Alaska) and the final eclipse of the 20th century on 25 Dec 2000 (USA, Canada, Mexico).

Mylar is a good filter for both viewing and photography as it absorbs the sun's harmful infra-red radiation.

I am not an astrologer so I cannot answer that question.

Regards and have a "buen viaje" as they say in Mexico.

Dear sir,

Thank you for reading this letter. Can you please advise me regarding travelling to a site of totality [for the August 1999 eclipse]?

I live in Liverpool, and am a communal Rabbi with daily responsibilities at my Synagogue. As such, the option to travel done to Cornwall from Liverpool on the 10th and return late on the 11th is not possible.

My only solution is to drive to Manchester ASAP after my morning duties at the Synagogue, and fly to Paris or a similar European destination. However, from the maps that I have viewed on-line, it is unclear as to where would be the best place to go, in terms of flight time, suitable destination, etc. It had occured to me that a scheduled flight might alsobe under the path of totality, but I have not been able to find out the flight paths. Would you believe that I even contacted staff at BA to ask about flight paths? They were sadly unable to help!

Apart from the awesome sight that I seek to see, and apart from the joy of fulfilling a life-long ambition of seeing a Total eclipse, such an event has deep spiritual significance to me and my Judaic beliefs.

As such, I would welcome your advice. RSVP

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind comments. As far as I know, transport will be tricky on the actual day of the eclipse. Some people I know are travelling from London to the coast and taking the ferry to France. The eclipse will be total in Dieppe.

If you fly to Paris, the path of totality is about 40km north of the city. Try the towns of Compiegne or Amiens.

Wherever you go, good luck and clear skies.

Dear Kryss,

I am writing from a company that is making a hour long special on the 1999 eclipse. I had a look at your web site and I would very much like to talk to you about your experiences. I am also looking for some eclipse chasers, either from the UK, of Europeans, and specifically, people from the South West of England.

Please could you give me a ring when you get this message? My name is Ginny Russell.

Dear Kryss Katsiavriades

I have got your name and email address from your site on the Net, and am interested in talking to you regarding the eclipse this August.

Discovery Channel Europe, based in London, are looking to put together a special event to co-incide with the eclipse in August and I am looking for people to talk to about eclipses in general, and also as potential guests. As I mentioned, I read your site with interest and would be keen to talk to you further about some ideas we have.

Please [ring and] leave a message and I will get back to you.

I look forward to hearing from you

Many thanks

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your interest.

I am planning to see the eclipse in Cornwall because this is the only eclipse in my lifetime that will be in my own country. Had it not come to England, I would have gone to eastern Turkey. There's a place called "Batman" close to the centre line which I would not have been able to resist.

But Cornwall it is. We have rented a house in St Agnes and plan to take our family and friends so that they can see what all the fuss is about and why the pull of total eclipses is so strong.

One of my friends grew up in the same street as me and was interested in astronomy. We talked about the 1999 eclipse when we were 10 years old not realising that, by the time it came round, I would have seen six and my dear friend none. The other friend came to the 1991 and 1994 eclipses with us so will be a veteran. My wife has seen four.

We rented the house from a friend of the family. I [will be giving] a talk plus slide show a day or two before the eclipse in St Agnes. Preparations are under way. Including photos of T-shirts we saw in Venezuela (1998) proclaiming "the final eclipse of the century".

In 1988, I was interviewed by the local radio station in the Philippines. In 1994, we did some TV interviews in El Salvador and Chile about various eclipses (the former in Spanish). I've also run into Patrick Moore on a couple of occasions while chasing eclipses.

hello there

my name is jorn threlfall. i am a producer in the on-air department at discovery europe in london.

i am currently making a series of films based around the notion of personal discovery and "exploring ones world". my recent film focussed on a blind man with a metal detector on camber sands beach. in addition, i have been asked to make a film about the upcoming eclipse in august. i thought it might be fascinating to combine the two ideas.

i am looking for individuals who have a fascination with exploration and discovery and who are interested in the total eclipse. i would be excited to speak to eclipse chasers and photographers who would be willing to be a subject for a short branding film for the channel.

might you know of such people? or might you be interested yourself?

i hope you might be able to help.

thanks

KryssTal Note: I met Jorn for lunch and we discussed my eclipse experiences.

Kryss

I hope you received the [video] tape [containing examples of my work]. It was enlightening to hear your stories of eclipse chasing on Wednesday. I was enamoured. I think that a short film piece for the Discovery Channel would be ideal. I hope you agree.

Here are a few thoughts and developments:

I have a meeting with my cameraman on Monday at 10am. I will call you after the meeting. It would be useful to hook up again for lunch, perhaps on Monday or Tuesday. What do you think? I could relay some ideas that I have gone over with Martin (cameraman) then.

I have had a few thoughts about props / locations etc. They are preliminary and plucked straight from my overworked brain! Forgive their somewhat haphazard nature. As I mentioned on Wednesday, it is the raw emotionality and enthusiasm that you express (together with your unique experiences) that I believe we should focus on. Other Discovery projects will take a science / boffin angle.

Your experiences / emotions will guide the piece. As you mentioned, if you could think of some more wonderful little anecdotes, similar to the ones you spoke of on Wednesday, that would be great. In addition, just a simple emotional journey through the stages of the eclipse as it happens, from anticipation to post-eclipse moments would be ideal. What do you think?

Call me. I look forward to speaking with you, Kryss.

KryssTal Note: This correspondence eventually ended up with a four minute film being made and shown on Discovery Europe.

Hey Kryss, I hope this e-mail finds you and yours in good health and spirits. If you recall we had dinner together in Punta-Fijo the night of the [1998] eclipse last year. I'm writing you to ask if you have a last minute suggestion for a good, relatively cheap place to get a good view this August.

We have been having some trouble getting air tickets to Turkey and were thinking of taking a chance on the weather in Europe. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Love your website!!!!!

Take care

KryssTal Reply: Nice to hear from you.

You could come and stand in the rain in Cornwall or try Eastern Europe (Hungary / Romania should have the best weather).

I remember there were two of you we had supper with after the eclipse. One of you said they had been "ecliptically deflowered" which I liked.

That was I. I must say after many philosophy classes and many hours spent writing songs, I am pleased a quote of mine had an impact on someone. The other guy was Phil Stevens. If you recall he too was a Zappa freak. Thanks for the info. I will pray hard for sunshine for you in the north. Take care

I just want to let you know that you have just an excellent page. I will definitely link my page with yours so my friends will have a chance to read all those interesting stories of yours! Excellent!

KryssTal Reply: Thank you very much.

I was also at the 1991 Eclipse in Cabo. A group of friends caravaned down with 3 vehicles. One friend brought $3,000 of Haagen-Dazs ice-cream packed in dry ice in the back of a Toyota pickup with a camper shell. (he would live off the profits then come back to LA to do it all over again).

This was the greatest natural event I have ever witnessed. When the darkness started moving across the hillside, it was an eerie feeling. When the horizon on a 360 degree view had a sunset that was the ultimate. I could feel the temperature drop considerably. The animals started reacting to the change.

Just thought I would share my experience.

KryssTal Reply: Very nice of you to write. Shame I never met your ice-cream toting friend!

Last night (20 January 2000) I attempted to see a Lunar eclipse from my bedroom - unfortunately, London's weather is not to be relied on. O well!

Hi

Is the [1998] eclipse visible from Peru or will it be partially visible or nothing.

Let me know.

KryssTal Reply: Buenos dias

No. I fear the eclipse will not be total in Lima. It will be partially visible but not very noticeable. I enclose a JPG file with a map of the path of totality.

Thanks for the info on the eclipse. I am a bit ignorant of such matters so I will ask you what is UT is it local time or what is it in GMT. If it is local time then it is pretty near sunset anyway for Peru so I don't think even a partial eclipse would be very visible.

Thanks for the info

KryssTal Reply: You're welcome

UT is Universal Time which is identical to GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Sice Peru is about four hours behind GMT, the eclipse will be in the early afternoon.

Partial eclipses are not very interesting unless you are an astronomer. During a total eclipse, the sky turns dark and stars / planest become visible.

By the way, your name looks Anglo-Saxon rather than Peruvian - do you live in Peru permanently? We spent two months in Peru during 1995 after seeing the 3 Nov 1994 total eclipse in Northern Chile. Peru was very interesting archiologically. We stayed in Puno, Cuzco, Arequipa, Nazca, Ica, Lima, Huaraz, Casma, Trujillo.

Hi Kryss

Yes, your'e right. I am English and I live in Lima. I have been here for nearly two years now and teach science in a local school. Luckily they are taught science in English. I am here as my wife is Peruvian. I have been to many of the places you went to. I think Peru is one of the most interesting places I have been to. Things here now are very much more relaxed than in 1994. Everyone here is bracing themselves for the Nino rains next month. It should be the worst rains of the century according to the news. At the moment the sea temperature is 5 or 6 degrees celsius higher than normal. There are lots of dead pelicans as the water is too warm and their normal fish have moved away.

Lima is changing every month as big new hotels are springing up all the time. At the moment I am happy here but I must say we don't see many stars in Lima although when I was in Huaraz it was amazing. To me as a real non astronomer it appeared that there were more stars visible here than say in the UK. Is that true or is it that I have never been anywhere dark enough in the UK?

Bye for now

KryssTal Reply: It's partially that there are less street lights away from the concentration of European cities and also that the southern hemisphere skies have the centre of our galaxy better placed.

I agree with your comments about Peru - I preferred it to Ecuador and the people were generally more friendly than in Bolivia.

Your BA flight details are as follows:

04Feb London Gatwick - Caracas BA2249 1045 1625

06Jun Buenos Aires - London Gatwick BA2266 1820 1120

Fare inclusive of tax GBP 607.

Please call / e mail with credit card details so we can issue tickets.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you. I will telephone to confirm but you should already hold my Credit Card details. Attached is a map of the total eclipse of the sun path in South America in six weeks. This may be of interest.

Pictures and stories of previous eclipses and journeys can be found on my web site. I would be happy to provide a link for you as you have handled all my previous latin american flights.

I am a student at UC Berkeley and I am doing research about the solar eclipse in June 2001. I am looking for information about the best places to view the eclipse and events that are happening because of the eclipse. I would appreciate any information that you could give me, including where you will be viewing the eclipse, other links, and other contacts. Thank you for your time.

KryssTal Reply: A good place to get information about all eclipses is Fred Espenak's site (below):

As for events, a total eclipse of the sun is an event in itself!

I would imagine that all the countries in the path of totality will arrange special activities but it's difficult to predict. Read my accounts of past eclipses that I've seen and you'll see what I mean.

I expect to be in Zambia at Kafue National Park. If not I will try Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.

I hope this helps

I enjoyed your stories about your trips to see the total eclipse. I have never traveled to see one, but I wish that I could someday. I have seen a partial eclipse right here in my town of Galesburg, IL. in the U.S. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind comments. I hope you do see an eclipse. We were clouded out on August 11th but it was still spectacular.

Hi Kryss.

Looks like you have a great constitution chasing eclipses around the World.

You are showing two eclipses on your web site for the year 2001 one is annular where can this eclipse be seen.

I know about the June 21st 2001 what is the interest for this eclipse, which is the favoured country and viewing site.

KryssTal Reply: Hello there, sorry about the delay - I was on holiday (yes I know November is late but I've been busy Y2k-ing.

The annular eclipse of 2001 is visible in the Pacific Ocean. If you check Fred Espenak's site (linked from my [eclipses] page) for details.

As for the total eclipse: probably Zambia or Zimbabwe.

Dear Sir,

Ref. 1998 Total Solar Eclipse in Venezuela report in your web site:

In your report you state that:

The horizon was pink. A frigatebird circled overhead. In the distance car horns blared and people whooped. Fireworks were being let off. I heard an explosion and saw a rocket rise into the dark sky. And still my gaze returned to the wonderful sight of the totally eclipsed Sun sitting high in a dark sky flanked by two bright planets with a third closer to the horizon...

Can you tell me how strong were these fireworks at Playa El Pico? How many approximately were displayed? Can you estimate roughly the height of the rocket launched? Were these fireworks very luminous???

I was at Punta de Barco some miles away from this place, in the northeastern coast of the Paraguana peninsula, making photometric measurements, and I've got some strange signals precisely during the totality. Perhaps the photosensors caught some light from these fireworks, but I'm not sure. Can you help to assess this issue?

Thank you very much for your help.

KryssTal Reply: What an interesting question! All I noticed were a couple of rockets but I wasn't paying too much attention. I don't think they were very high or particularly luminous but cannot give any quantitative data.

Hope you enjoyed the eclipse as much as I did.

Hello Kryss.

I' ve seen your site and i like it very much. It's complete and interesting.

KryssTal Reply: Thank you for your kind comments

It's the only site where i found pictures of the landscape during the totality, and not only pictures of the sun....

KryssTal Reply: I agree - the changes in the scenery are as exciting as the eclipse itself.

I'm just 15 years old and i've seen my first eclipse during this summer, in Belgium, my country.

KryssTal Reply: You are very lucky

I had luck : during all the partial phase, the weather was horrible: clouds, rain, etc... But just before the totality the sun appeared and i saw it !!! I had seen a partial one in 1995, in Cambodia where i was living, at 80% but it was not the same.

KryssTal Reply: Where did you live in Cambodia? - I went there in 1992.

I'd like to see as much eclipses as i can, and i like your point of view : when you travel to countries so far, why stay there only for 5 minutes? Seeing how people from different cultures react, visiting the country is very interesting.

But i've got a question, how do you manage to travel so much? How do you find enough money? Enough time?

KryssTal Reply: I work with contract so I can travel when I want to.

I'd like to know more about how the people react during the totality, ceremonies they make etc.

KryssTal Reply: Each country is different

Could send me more pictures? Like pictures of ambiance during eclipse, people landscape etc?

KryssTal Reply: All my best photos are on the internet.

Try looking at Fred Espenak's site for more information, photos and links:

Good luck

Dear Kryss

I have a description by a Mr. William Stukeley of an eclipse in May 1724 (he dates it the 10.th, but I don't think that's exactly right). He saw it from Haradon Hill, east of Stonehenge Avenue. Unfortunately it is not clear from the description whether the eclipse was total or partiel and I have not been able to find out elsewhere.

Can you help me?

KryssTal Reply: The eclipse you refer to was on 22 May 1724. It was total along the southern part of Ireland and South West England (except Cornwall but including Stonehenge). The duration of totality was 2:46 in England (4:33 max).

I hope this is useful.

I just want to let you know that you have just an excellent page. I will definitely link my page with yours so my friends will have a chance to read all those interesting stories of yours! Excellent!

KryssTal Reply: Thank you very much.

I have been set a challenge and desparately need some assistance! Can you help?

The questions I need a clue on are:-

1) In which country this century did it's reigning monarch correctly predict a total eclipse?
2) Was it of the sun or moon?
3) In which town was it viewed from?

I would appreciate your help on this one please.

KryssTal Reply: Wow - what a set of questions. I've not heard of a monarch predicting an eclipse. Eclipses are predicted for hundreads of years in advanve in astronomical publications. I would be surprised if they missed one!

Solar eclipses are visible from a reasonable fraction of the Earth's surface while Lunar eclipses are visible from at least HALF of the Earth. An eclipse would therefore be visible from many towns assuming it was visible over land.

Finally, each year sees a minimum of 2 solar eclipses and a maximum of 5. With lunar eclipses the minimum number is 0 while the maximaum is 3. There are therefore hundreds of eclipses during a century.

Sorry I couldn't help more but the questions were too general.

Good luck with your quiz.

Hello Kryss

Myself and my wife are interested in travelling to Southern Africa in 2001 to view the total Solar eclipse. As someone who has travelled to view several eclipses in the past, I wondered whether I might ask you with whom you made your travel arrangements?

KryssTal Reply: Hello there

I'm probably not the person to ask. I simply take a flight with an open return, a few guide books and maps, and sort things out as I go along!!!!

You could contact Explorers Tours as they specialise in eclipse travel.

They are at

223 Copermill Road
Wraysbury
TW19 5NW
[England]
Tel: 01753 680237

Everybody seems to be off to Zimbabwe but I quite fancy Zambia. Can't wait....

Hello there,

I was also there in General Santos during the eclipse, I was still very young. It was really spectacular, a once in a lifetime event indeed.

KryssTal Reply: Hello to you.

Glad you enjoyed one of nature's rarest phenomenon. Do you live there or did you go there?

Hi

Saw your web page and found it interesting -- nice one! I also trained as a chemist, am of Greek origin in my early 40s, and have interests in maths, languages and astronomy, though my interests in football and Dr Who are now historical (!) - I wonder how many of us there are out there! I was lucky enough to see my first total eclipse with my family last year at Fécamp. I liked your account of the eclipse in Cornwall. I had thought about going near Godrevy, where I've been a few times, so it was interesting to know what it was like near there.

I lecture on database systems here at City University.

How did I get to your page? By searching for Highbury Grove school on Altavista, believe it or not. Who was the headmaster when you were there? Have you any connections with the place today? I was trying to find out what happened to an ex-colleague of mine, Pete Searl, who went to be head there in late 80's. Any information gratefully received.

Best regards

KryssTal Reply: Hello there

You mean I'm not unique?

When I was at Highbury Grove, Rhodes Boyson was head. I don't know Pete Searl. We did visit Godrevy but decided against it because the roads to it were narrow. I am a computer consultant in the City.

Related Pages

1999 Eclipse Accounts
Many people (friends and strangers) have sent their accounts of the 1999 eclipse to this web site. These are reproduced here.