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Observation of total solar eclipse on March, 29, 2006.

On March, 29, 2006 after midday above territory of Russia there was a rare and majestic astronomical phenomenon - total solar eclipse (TSE). On observation the group of several participants of our astronomical club went out.

Before departure it was necessary for group to solve a lot of questions. The most probable and convenient places for observation represented two regions in the European part of Russia: delta of Volga (to the south of the city of Astrakhan’) and Northern Caucasus. The most challenge appeared to expect weather. For this purpose the statistics of results of meteorological observations of last years in area of Nal’chik and Kislovodsk (Northern Caucasus) and Astrakhan’ was studied, interrogation of people in the Internet forums and, eventually, listened to that the intuition would tell. Search and finding out of “comrades-in-arms” also was important. Last factor appeared subsequently practically deciding. The city of Kislovodsk was chosen, in view of relative proximity to it of three large astronomical observatories, and also the big group of amateurs of astronomy (AA) from Russia and the CIS countries had gathered before event in this city.

Yes - and... The Sun even does not suspect, what it expects in some hours. For now it silently-peacefully is ascending above Pyatigorsk.

The first beams of the ascending Sun empurpled El’brus

The group of the club members arrived to Kislovodsk in the morning on March, 28 and in some hours took part in improvised discussion and organization of forthcoming observation. The part of day was spent in searches of convenient places of observation in picturesque park in the center of Kislovodsk and not less picturesque vicinities of city. Considering, that the next day in which TSE would take place, probably would pass approximately in the same weather conditions as current, the sky was watched closely. To evening clouds arrived, the Internet had not added optimism: the weather satellite online showed the Caucasus latent by clouds with rare and chaotic holes in overcast above its northern part. In result the big group of AA decided to leave the city in the early morning on March, 29 in vicinities of Baksan (Kabardino-Balkariya) where the central line of the eclipse ran, relying on luck and on chance in searches of a drink of the clear sky. Participants of the club also joined it subsequently.

Dawn on March, 29 was surprisingly clear. In twenty kilometers from Kislovodsk the magnificent view aside the Main Caucasian ridge and El’brus opened. The same clearness and cleanliness reigned above steppe. As a result of several hours of search for observation vicinities of settlements Kuba-Taba and Psychokh approximately in 10 kilometers from the city of Baksan aside Pyatigorsk was chosen. Here the map taken from an astroforum (http://www.astronomy.ru/forum/) on which our place of observation is specified is adduced. Time which has stayed up to an eclipse left on assembling and adjustment(option) of astronomical tools and devices.

The solar eclipse began at 14:04 by Moscow summertime from increasing of partial phases and the full phase reached at 15:17.

The first tests of the equipment after installation in a field. Presence of sunspots pleased, in fact on the holidays the Sun was absolutely quiet. M.Kytytsya: Camera Canon PowerShot A610. The picture was made through the self-made pipe, made of achromatic lens as objective and eyepiece from microscope. On objective visual solar filter Astrosolar.

Partial phases of the eclipse. Yes - and... While all too, that saw many times and in Kyiv. In the shot roughnesses of the lunar limb (heights and hollows) are noticeable. M.Kytytsya: Camera Canon PowerShot A610. The picture was made through the self-made pipe.

The full phase of the eclipse lasted about three and a half of minutes, and the first beam of the Sun directed to the ground during 15:20. TSE ended by decreasing of partial phases approximately at 16:29. We managed to shoot some pictures of the full phase on which in those or other details the solar crown is visible, protuberances, ring around of the lunar disk and the “diamond ring”, and also some small videoclips of the course of the eclipse (136 kb) and the surrounding landscape (144 kb).

Here is the total solar eclipse! It is seen a protuberance, some details of chromosphere. Tetyana Garkusha. Camera Canon PowerShot A510. The picture was shot through binoculars Olimpus 10х50.

Near crown close up. Tetyana Garkusha. Camera Canon PowerShot A510. The picture was shot through binoculars Olimpus 10х50.

It was successful both photometry of the solar disk and diffused light of the sky in zenith. Photometry was carried out by means of two photodiodes FD24K and pocket multimeters.

Time dependences of luminosity for two devices are represented in figure.

Thus the eclipse looked for a naked eye. The size of a photo was fitted so, that if you look at the image on monitor of 17 inch (1024*768) from half-meter distance, the angular sizes almost the same, as in the sky. M.Kytytsya. Camera Canon PowerShot A610. A series of the images made with various exposures was combined.

On road home in a train Tanya Garkusha drew a series of comic pictures which, in her opinion, reflect the heart of phenomenon TSE :)))))))))

And at this time in Kyiv observations of partial solar eclipse were carried out. You can look them here