Total eclipses of the sun are spectacular and awe inspiring. For those within the path of totality there are dramatic effects as the moon's shadow races across the earth's surface at around 2000 km/hour.

Just before the sun disappears behind the moon, it shines through valleys on the moon's edge to create an effect which has been likened to a diamond ring. It then becomes quite dark and the sun's corona, that extended shell of ionised gas which is normally hidden by the sun's glare, shines forth in a scene of great beauty.

On June 21st this year there will be a total eclipse of the sun visible from a narrow band that stretches from Angola in the west across Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and on to Madagascar. The circumstances for this eclipse are very favourable, with weather prospects being exceptionally good. Totality will last from 4 minutes in Angola to about 2 mins in Madagascar. A Total eclipse happens in any one locality, on average, once in 118 years.

Thousands are people from all over the world will be converging on Africa for this event. All hotels in Zambia were fully booked 18 months ago. It promises to be a spectacular event.

The Johannesburg Center of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa has been fortunate in being able to charter two aircraft for the day and will be flying to Lusaka in Zambia to observe the eclipse.  ( Lusaka lies in the path of totality ). Flights leave Johannesburg at about 10:00 and will return from Lusaka after the eclipse at about 17:00.