Total solar eclipse of December 4, 2002

Total eclipse

Key facts

Date
December 4, 2002
Type
Total eclipse
Duration of totality at eclipse maximum
2 min 04 s
Global eclipse maximum
at 07:31 UTC UTC (Coordinated Universal Time): the worldwide time standard, independent of local time zones and daylight saving time.
Coordinates of greatest eclipse
39.5° S – 59.6° E
Path width at maximum
about 87 km
Saros series Number of the Saros series to which the eclipse belongs: similar eclipses recur about every 18 years and 11 days, with a comparable type and path, though not over the same locations each time.
142
Visibility map — Total eclipse on December 4, 2002

Choose a location anywhere on Earth to see if the eclipse will be visible, check local times, and watch it unfold in an animation.

Explore the eclipse

The path of totality crosses Angola, Namibia, and Mozambique before continuing to Australia. Along it, the Sun disappears completely for about 2 minutes 4 seconds at maximum. A partial solar eclipse covers a broader area of southern Africa, the western Indian Ocean, and Australia.

Path of totality

Regions
Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Australia
Example destinations
AngolaNamibiaMozambiqueAustralia
Example locations
HuamboKongolaXai-XaiCeduna

To look at the Sun: eclipse glasses, except during totality at your location.

HuamboAngola

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Start of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The solar disc is completely covered by the Moon
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
End of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The Sun reappears — eclipse glasses required
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

KongolaNamibia

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Start of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The solar disc is completely covered by the Moon
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
End of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The Sun reappears — eclipse glasses required
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

Xai-XaiMozambique

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Start of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The solar disc is completely covered by the Moon
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
End of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The Sun reappears — eclipse glasses required
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

CedunaAustralia

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Start of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The solar disc is completely covered by the Moon
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
End of totality
Wed, Dec 4
The Sun reappears — eclipse glasses required
Sunset
Wed, Dec 4
Sun’s centre on the horizon
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
Sun has set

Areas with a partial eclipse

Regions
Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Réunion
Example destinations
AngolaNamibiaMozambiqueAustraliaSouth AfricaBotswanaMauritiusRéunion
Example locations
LuandaWindhoekMaputoAdelaideJohannesburgGaboronePort LouisSaint-Pierre

To look at the Sun: eclipse glasses for the whole eclipse.

LuandaAngola

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Sunrise
Wed, Dec 4
Sun’s centre on the horizon
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

WindhoekNamibia

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

MaputoMozambique

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

AdelaideAustralia

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Sunset
Wed, Dec 4
Sun’s centre on the horizon
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
Sun has set

JohannesburgSouth Africa

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

GaboroneBotswana

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

Port LouisMauritius

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

Saint-PierreRéunion

View the eclipse
Key moment Local time Obscuration Comment
Partial — start
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon starts covering the Sun
Maximum
Wed, Dec 4
Maximum obscuration
Partial — end
Wed, Dec 4
The Moon no longer covers the Sun

Watch a solar eclipse safely

To look directly at the Sun, use eclipse glasses that conform to ISO 12312-2 and are in good condition. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide enough protection.

You may look at the Sun without glasses only during totality at your observing location, when its disc is completely covered by the Moon. Put them back on as soon as the Sun begins to reappear. During a partial or annular eclipse, eclipse glasses remain necessary for any direct viewing.

Do not use binoculars, a telescope, a camera, or any other optical instrument unless it is fitted with a suitable solar filter placed in front of the optics. Eclipse glasses are not sufficient in this case.

The information and times shown are provided for guidance only. Each observer must check local conditions and follow the applicable safety guidelines.

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Calculations and simulation based on the Besselian elements of Fred Espenak (NASA/GSFC)

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