Total Solar Eclipse of 2020 December 14
 in Argentina, Chile or aboard a Cruise Ship

Fifteen months after the July 2019 total solar eclipse another one will cross the same two countries at a different latitude and season. The point of greatest eclipse (totality phase during 2 min 10 sec) lies in Patagonia, Argentina. Before reaching Chile or after leaving Argentina, there is no landmass inside its totality path in the Southern Pacific and Southern Atlantic oceans. Do note that from December 9^th to 14^th there will be an IAU Symposium (Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy) in San Carlos de Bariloche and you are encouraged to attend if you’re in the area.
Cruise ships will likely be inside the eclipse path, but for those who prefer to be on firm ground Argentina provides good weather prospects and the longest duration. During a period of 10 years, 2010 to 2020, both Chile and Argentina will experience three total solar eclipses plus one annular.
Covid-19 Update: because of the novel coronavirus pandemic the IAU Symposium 367 will be held remotely. Thanks to all the sanitary measures and the lack of coordination non-residents from Chile and Argentina are unlikely going to be able to enter those two countries and hence will not be able to view this eclipse from the ground. Which is why I’m working on a plan B to circumvent those restrictions for a small group of people. The goal is to have this alternative option ready by the end of October 2020 when the final call will have to be made if we can’t travel to Chile and Argentina. Of course all this can work out well only if there isn’t a second wave in the northern hemisphere in November and December which would inevitably lead to more border closures! Stay tuned and in the meantime stay safe…

You can use this solar eclipse calculator to compute the local circumstances of the eclipse, and the solar eclipse timer notifies the beginning of the various events. A time exposure calculator is there to help you choose your camera settings.