An eclipse chaser positioned a cruise ship in eastern Greenland’s Scoresby Sound fjord system for the August 12 total solar eclipse, betting on improving weather forecasts despite initial cloud predictions. The decision to navigate the narrow waterway—where speeds were limited to just 3 knots due to narwhals—proved rewarding when conditions cleared, offering an exceptionally clear view of the celestial event.
The expedition, carrying 117 guests aboard the Sylvia Earle, achieved nearly ideal viewing conditions at the fjord’s confluence point. The eclipse lasted 2 minutes and 16 seconds, just two seconds short of the maximum possible duration anywhere on Earth. Observers witnessed a crisp display of solar features including a prominent reddish-pink loop of gas extending from the sun’s surface, creating what the author described as an exceptionally beautiful totality.
This Arctic eclipse represents a significant achievement for a seasoned eclipse chaser who had endured nearly 1,210 days since their last clear view of the sun’s corona. The experience serves as preparation for the next major event: a total solar eclipse crossing Egypt in August 2027, which will offer over six minutes of totality with minimal cloud risk. That upcoming eclipse will be the longest-lasting total solar eclipse for the next 87 years.
Originally reported by Livescience →
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