PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE · SUN SETS DURINGDouala, CameroonTuesday 31 March 2071 · times in UTC+1
67.8%
OF THE SUN COVERED
A clear bite is taken out of the Sun. Daylight barely changes, so this is an eclipse you have to know about to notice.
THE SUN SETS PART-WAY THROUGH
Sunset is at 18:29, with the Sun still 67.8% covered. Everything after that happens below your horizon.02 · TIMING
When does it happen?
The whole eclipse runs 2h 11m. All times are local, in UTC+1.
16:34 MAX 17:44 18:45
| Phase | LOCAL TIME | SUN |
|---|---|---|
| First contactthe Moon touches the Sun's edge | 16:34 | 28° W |
| Maximumthe deepest point | 17:44 | 10° W |
| SUNSET 18:29 NOTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS VISIBLE | ||
| Last contacthappens after the Sun has set | 18:45 | BELOW HORIZON5° under |
Times for the hidden phases are given because they are real — they are simply not observable from here.
03 · DIRECTION
Where do I look?
At maximum the Sun is only 10° above the horizon to the west, so you will want an open view in that direction.
The Sun's height and bearing at maximum, from Douala. The horizon is at 0°.
THE EXPERIENCE
What it will actually be like
A distinct bite is taken out of the Sun, reaching 67.8% at maximum. Daylight barely changes — the eye adapts far too well for that — so this is an eclipse you have to know about to notice. Use a filter; the remaining Sun is as dangerous as an uneclipsed one.
SAFETY
Looking at it without hurting yourself
A certified solar filter stays on for the whole eclipse. The Sun is never completely covered here, and what remains is as dangerous to look at as an uneclipsed Sun. Sunglasses are not a filter.
Sunglasses, smoked glass, exposed film and phone screens are not filters. If you can see anything else through it, it is not dark enough.
04 · POSITION
Should I travel?
The path passes 908 km to the south of Douala and is 75 km wide. Only inside it is the Sun covered completely.
THE DAY
- SUNRISE
- 06:20
- SUNSET
- 18:29
- DAY LENGTH
- 12h 09m
- CIVIL DUSK
- 18:50
REFERENCE FIGURES
- OBSCURATION
- 67.8%
- COORDINATES
- 4.061° N, 9.786° E
- PATH WIDTH
- 75 km
- SHADOW SPEED
- 2,000 km/h
- SAROS
- 140 · no. 34
- MAGNITUDE
- 0.7480
- GAMMA
- -0.3739
Contact times are accurate to a couple of seconds at the coordinates above. Altitudes are geometric — unrefracted, on the WGS 84 ellipsoid.