Solar eclipse of May 29, 1919
Encyclopedia
A total solar eclipse
occurred on May 29, 1919. With a maximum duration of totality of 6 minutes 51 seconds, it was one of the longest solar eclipses of the 20th century. It was visible throughout most of South America
and Africa
as a partial eclipse. Totality occurred through a narrow path across central Brazil
after sunrise, across the Atlantic ocean and into south central Africa ending near sunset in eastern Africa.
(off the west coast of Africa). Positions of star images within the field near the sun were used to verify Albert Einstein's prediction of the bending of light around the sun from his general theory of relativity.
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
occurred on May 29, 1919. With a maximum duration of totality of 6 minutes 51 seconds, it was one of the longest solar eclipses of the 20th century. It was visible throughout most of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
as a partial eclipse. Totality occurred through a narrow path across central Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
after sunrise, across the Atlantic ocean and into south central Africa ending near sunset in eastern Africa.
Observations
This eclipse was photographed from the expedition of Sir Arthur Eddington to the island of PrincipePríncipe
Príncipe is the northern and smaller of the two major islands of the country of São Tomé and Príncipe lying off the west coast of Africa. It has an area of 136 km² and a population of approximately 5,000. The island is a heavily eroded volcano over three million years old, surrounded by other...
(off the west coast of Africa). Positions of star images within the field near the sun were used to verify Albert Einstein's prediction of the bending of light around the sun from his general theory of relativity.