This view of a "partial" solar eclipse was taken from Southern California on June 10th, 2002. Further to the southwest on the globe the eclipse appeared as a "ring" of light as the moon passed directly in front of the sun in what is known as an "annular" eclipse.
These types of solar eclipse differ from a "total" solar eclipse in that portions of the sun's surface are still visible at all times. Whether an eclipse reaches "totality" depends on the observer's location and on the distance the moon is from the earth in its orbit.
An observer in the narrow path of maximum eclipse will see an "annular" eclipse if the moon is too close to the earth to totally block the sun from view.
A "partial" eclipse (as above) will be seen by any observer for several thousands of miles away from the relatively narrow path of maximum eclipse along the earth's surface, whether it is actually "annular" or "total" for observers within the narrow path of maximum eclipse.
A truly SAFE solar filter is an absolute must to properly view any solar eclipse without risking serious and permanent damage to your eyes. Never look directly at the sun except with scientifically correct filtering.
Photographic Data:
Telescope: Vernonscope 80mm f/5.6 Brandon with 2x Kitstar brand teleconverter (effectively 900mm focal length at f/11.2)
Film: Fuji Super HQ 100 (unhypered)
Exposure: Duration controlled during actual film exposure by Pentax LX camera in automatic mode after utilizing "hat trick" with shutter opened
Solar Filter: 10 inch Thousand Oaks Optical Type 2+, hand-held in front of objective
Mount: Fixed tripod
Date: 6/10/02 Photo taken at less than maximum eclipse for the geographic location
This photo was taken from here
