Total Solar Eclipse of 2015 March 20
in Svalbard, the Faroe Islands or the Arctic
The point of greatest eclipse (totality phase during 2 min 46 sec) was located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean east of Iceland and northwest of the Faroe Islands. As weather prospects weren’t that great for the few ground-based locations, seeing it from the stratosphere was tantalizing. Svalbard was the second choice as there are quite a few clear days at that time of the year, and the fact is the sky was indeed clear on eclipse day. The Faroe Islands were the third choice as the weather there changes very quickly which is why some saw it and others didn’t. To observe the 2015 March 20 total solar eclipse, I was offering very special eclipse flights at the edge of the stratosphere (see the similar flight executed in November 2013) in partnership with AmJet Executive and Dassault Falcon Service, but also tours in Svalbard (Norway) and at the North Pole. The Faroe Islands were another option but the weather prospects weren’t that great with a strong variability. The expedition to the North Pole for a very limited number of participants is in the planning phase. This last trip will be very expensive, but will provide an unforgettable and rewarding experience during the spring equinox with the black Sun barely over the frozen horizon.
Hot air balloon panoramic view just after mid-totality above Longyearbyen
(a stratospheric balloon from Zero2Infinity was planned for 27 kilometers or 89,000 feet but later cancelled because of the heavy logistics)
First composite image taken from Longyearbyen and processed by Miloslav Druckmüller
Second and third contacts from Adventdalen (about 10 kilometers east of Longyearbyen) by Don Gardner
Wide angle view from Longyearbyen by Tunç Tezel
Composite image from Longyearbyen by Thanakrit Santikunaporn
All sky view with planets, stars and constellations during totality from Longyearbyen by Tunç Tezel
A film sponsored by the French company Salomon was shot on location with free rider skiers going down a slope during totality. Up to 300 people can ask to be invited to attend the movie preview in Toulouse, France, on November 12th, 2015 during the Salomon O.U.T. festival.
Salomon Free rider and totality by Canadian photographer Reuben Krabbe assisted by the French mountaineering guide and emergency doctor Pierre Muller
(expedition and film sponsored by the French company Salomon)
Salomon produced a small documentary about the expedition in both French and English; a DVD is available.
Looking forward to Alaska for the next one in Saros 120…
Current prediction over Longyearbyen (updated every 15 minutes)
Current sky over Longyearbyen (updated every 15 minutes)
Area of visibility at first contact (download full resolution 7,200 by 8,400 pixels image)
Area of visibility for three degrees of clearance at maximum eclipse (download full resolution 7,200 by 8,400 pixels image)
Area of visibility at fourth contact (download full resolution 7,200 by 8,400 pixels image)
Area of visibility for three degrees of clearance at maximum eclipse (download full resolution 7,200 by 8,400 pixels image)
The Czech who did not take the necessary precautions to not attract the polar bears have had some mishaps! For the full story, go to Thursday, March 19th for the detailed explanations. You will see where the female polar bear attack, that made the headlines on March 19th, occurred and also understand why it happened… Thanks to my friend Jason for informing me. Not to mention the ultimate price paid because of this negligence…
Because of the great success of the stratospheric eclipse flights with business jets, this project has been suspended.
Nevertheless here is the private aircraft that was going to be used for the return flights from Paris to Longyearbyen, and in the event of bad weather on the ground to view the eclipse in-flight as well.
If you are still interested by such a trip, then please let me know soonest.
If the weather conditions are too bad on the ground, then we’ll view the eclipse in-flight from our private aircraft.
Use of this simulation is strictly forbidden without a written approval. All commercial uses are subject to a fee for every planned flight.
[requires an H.264/MPEG-4 decoder: Windows users can install the Windows Essentials Codec Pack]