Partial Solar Eclipse of 2019 January 6
 in Russia, China, Mongolia, Japan or Korea (North & South)

The morning of the eclipse the sky was perfectly clear, and the temperature was well below -50°C or -60F! After an early wake up and a good breakfast it was time to get going from the Oymyakon village (Pole of Cold) and go to my selected viewing point on top of a lookout overlooking the valley. From this overlook the eclipse was starting just at sunrise above the mountains of the Suntar-Khayata Range, an extension of the mighty Verkhoyansk Range. Focussing the mirror lens was next to impossible under those extreme conditions.

With the help of the eclipse image inverted by the lens reflection one can see that we’re still not long after the maximum. Because of the temperatures well below -50°C or -60F it was mandatory to shield the camera from the cold as it remained outside continuously for over three hours. The shutter release cord was like a rigid stick because of the cold and the slightest flection could brake it! Moreover smartphone batteries quit after only a couple minutes under those temperatures, they need to be kept warm constantly.

The eclipse has ended so it’s now time to leave and get warmer!

And now the beginning of the partial eclipse shortly after sunrise above the mountains of the Suntar-Khayata Range, an extension of the mighty Verkhoyansk Range. Focussing the mirror lens was next to impossible under those extreme conditions. The picture was taken without any solar filter.

Here is to give you an idea of the weather conditions in Yakutsk, knowing that in Oymyakon and Tomtor the temperatures are usually lower by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius or 9 to 18 Fahrenheit. As you can notice the temperature does rise a bit when snow is coming.

Bad quality picture, taken after the partial eclipse, showing my gear. Keeping your feet warm is paramount, even more so as you’re staying put for over three hours; my reliable 25-year old Millet Everest climbing boots do wonders even after having spent all these years on the highest summits of our planet.

The day before the partial solar eclipse it was mandatory to double check my viewing location as getting there wasn’t easy. It meant going up a steep hill in deep snow in the middle of spruce trees. Moreover estimating the time needed was equally important in order not to be late the next morning!

On the left-hand side the mighty Verkhoyansk Range, center its extension with the mountains of the Suntar-Khayata Range.

To be able to view this eclipse with great success I slept a couple of nights with the locals in Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold. Here is the official certificate issued by the mayor on January 5^th where a temperature of -58°C or -72F was recorded. You also have to take into account the short days with only about five hours of daylight (sunrise around 10am, sunset around 3pm).

In Oymyakon there are two monuments to the Pole of Cold: the historical one in the settlement where ceremonies are still held and the new one in the outskirts.

Before the partial solar eclipse the comet 46P/Wirtanen was also visible. Do notice the huge light pollution from Oymyakon, wandering outside of the settlement at night wasn’t really an option to consider.

On this panoramic view of the Oymyakon settlement after sunset one can see the house of my host Tamara (the light brown shack with the light on the right-hand side), and also the outside toilets (the light brown small shack on the left-hand side). Relieving oneself can be an adventure on its own, especially when the shack is not heated or even insulated… Lets just say you need to be farsighted!

Life in the Oymyakon district is hard because of the long Siberian winter. Nevertheless the Yakut people are warm-hearted and extremely friendly. At night you have to sleep in a dormitory with six people. The short days provide a marvelous light under a transparent sky.

The inhabitants of Bereg-Yurdya, a tiny village near Oymyakon, held a nice evening show in our honor on 2019 January 5^th, the year of the pigs. A big thanks to Tatyana, the wife of Misha the Yakut horses cattleman, and all the performers.

One question people ask me often is what to wear to be able to stand those exterme temperatures. The basic answer is to wear multiple layers as it helps insulate your body from the outside while at the same time allowing your perspiration get through. Don’t forget to cover your head, protect your nose and ears, and wear proper boots with two pairs of thick socks (regular winter boots are not sufficient if you stay a long time outside).

To be complete here are a few other pictures of this trip. Once again, after the previous trip last August, the air service by Aeroflot in Business class was flawless. On my late evening flight to Moscow I was the only passenger in Business class. The flight to Yakutsk was slightly delayed by a late arrival and a snowstorm in Moscow. No problem when you can spend the time at the airline lounges. To get to Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold, you have to drive on the Kolyma road, that is the road of bones which takes you to the Staline gulags and which was partially built with the bones of the political prisoners and common law detainees (nearly three million died there)!