View source for Solar eclipse of February 16, 1980

{{Short description|Total eclipse}}
{{Infobox solar eclipse|1980Feb16
| previous         = Solar eclipse of August 22, 1979
| next             = Solar eclipse of August 10, 1980
}}
A total [[solar eclipse]] occurred at the Moon's [[Lunar node|descending node]] of orbit on Saturday, February 16, 1980,<ref>{{cite web|title=February 16, 1980 Total Solar Eclipse|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/1980-february-16|publisher=timeanddate|access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> with a [[Magnitude of eclipse|magnitude]] of 1.0434. A [[solar eclipse]] occurs when the [[Moon]] passes between [[Earth]] and the [[Sun]], thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's [[apparent diameter]] is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Occurring about 1 day before [[Apsis|perigee]] (on February 17, 1980, at 8:50 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moon Distances for London, United Kingdom, England|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/distance.html?year=1980&n=136|publisher=timeanddate|access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

The path of totality crossed parts of [[People's Republic of Angola|Angola]], [[Zaire]], [[Tanzania]], [[Kenya]], southern [[India]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma|Burma]], and [[China]] at sunset. The southern part of [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], the highest mountain in Africa, also lay in the path of totality. A partial eclipse was visible for parts of [[Africa]], [[West Asia]], [[Central Asia]], [[South Asia]], and [[Southeast Asia]].

== Observations ==
=== India ===
[[File:Helmet streamers at max.gif|thumb|This eclipse occurred near the [[solar maximum]], when the [[helmet streamer]] tends to be more symmetrically distributed. Image taken in India.]]

This was the third total solar eclipse visible from mainland India excluding the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] in the 20th century. However, most of the path of totality of the [[solar eclipse of August 21, 1914]] in [[British India]] now belongs to [[Pakistan]], and the only place within the path of totality of the [[solar eclipse of June 30, 1954]] in India was in the [[Thar Desert]] where a total eclipse occurred right before sunset. Therefore, this was actually the first total solar eclipse visible from India with good observation conditions since [[solar eclipse of January 22, 1898|January 22, 1898]].<ref>{{cite journal|author=J. C. Bhattacharyya|year=1980|title=Total Solar Eclipse of February 16, 1980|journal=Proc. Indian natn. Sci. Acad.|volume=46, A|issue=3|pages=191–197|url=http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005bb0_191.pdf|format=pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023506/http://www.new1.dli.ernet.in/data1/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005bb0_191.pdf|archivedate=9 May 2015}}</ref>

The [[Indian Institute of Astrophysics]] established two camps at [[Hosur]] near [[Hubli]] and at [[Jawalagera]] near [[Raichur]], analyzing the [[chromosphere|chromospheric]] and [[Stellar corona|coronal]] radiation. Observation teams from [[Czechoslovakia]] and [[Yugoslavia]] also made observations nearby.<ref>{{cite web|author=R. C. Kapoor|title=SOME TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES OBSERVED FROM INDIA|url=http://www.iiap.res.in/solareclipse|publisher=Indian Institute of Astrophysics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128034332/http://www.iiap.res.in/solareclipse|archive-date=28 November 2012}}</ref> The [[Astronomical Institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences]] also sent a team of 7 people near Jawalagera. The weather condition was good and the team took images of the corona.<ref>{{cite web|author=Miloslav Druckmüller|title=Total Solar Eclipse 1980, India - Slovak Academy of Sciences expedition|url=http://www.zam.fme.vutbr.cz/~druck/Eclipse/Ecl1980i/0-info.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212193158/http://www.zam.fme.vutbr.cz/~druck/Eclipse/Ecl1980i/0-info.htm|archive-date=12 February 2010}}</ref>

=== China ===
In China, the eclipse occurred on the exact date of the [[Lunar New Year]].

Being the first total solar eclipse visible from China after the [[Cultural Revolution]], this eclipse offered much better conditions for observations, compared with the [[solar eclipse of September 22, 1968]], the previous total one visible from China. Although both occurred before sunset with a low [[solar zenith angle]] in China, the maximum duration of totality within China was more than 1 minute and 40 seconds for this eclipse, and less than half a minute for the one in 1968.

The [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] held a solar physics conference in [[Kunming]] in April 1975, proposing to form a joint observation of the eclipse. In March 1976, a field trip to select the location of observation was conducted. A total of 31 aspects of observations were organized, including solar optical and radio observations, ionosphere, [[Earth's magnetic field]] and [[gravitational field]] measurements. The meteorological department also studied weather changes during the eclipse. Optical observations in China were mainly conducted at Yingpan Mountain in [[Ruili]] County (now Ruili City), [[Yunnan]], while radio observations were at [[Yunnan Astronomical Observatory]] in Fenghuang Mountain, Kunming. In addition, Shanghai Scientific and Educational Film Studio made a documentary on the entire process of the observation.<ref>{{cite web|title=20世纪中国日全食观测小史|url=http://news.163.com/09/0716/14/5EBNGC9P00013H9Q.html|language=zh|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017233253/http://news.163.com/09/0716/14/5EBNGC9P00013H9Q.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1980年云南日全食回忆|url=http://xw.kunming.cn/subject/content/2009-07/20/content_1923820.htm|publisher=昆明信息港|language=zh|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705210331/http://xw.kunming.cn/subject/content/2009-07/20/content_1923820.htm|archivedate=5 July 2015}}</ref>

== Eclipse season ==
{{See also|Eclipse cycle}}
This eclipse is part of an [[eclipse season]], a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two (or occasionally three) eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months (173 days) later; thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year. Either two or three eclipses happen each eclipse season. In the sequence below, each eclipse is separated by a [[fortnight]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Eclipse season of February–March 1980
! February 16<br/>Descending node (new moon)<br/> !! [[March 1980 lunar eclipse|March 1]]<br/>Ascending node (full moon)<br/>
|-
| [[File:SE1980Feb16T.png|200px]] || [[File:Lunar eclipse chart close-1980Mar01.png|200px]]
|- align=center
| [[Total eclipse#Types|Total solar eclipse]]<br />Solar Saros 130 || [[Lunar eclipse#Types of lunar eclipse|Penumbral lunar eclipse]]<br />Lunar Saros 142
|}

== Related eclipses ==
=== Eclipses in 1980 ===
* '''A total solar eclipse on February 16.'''
* [[March 1980 lunar eclipse|A penumbral lunar eclipse on March 1]].
* [[July 1980 lunar eclipse|A penumbral lunar eclipse on July 27]].
* [[Solar eclipse of August 10, 1980|An annular solar eclipse on August 10]].
* [[August 1980 lunar eclipse|A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 26]].

=== Metonic ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of April 29, 1976]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of December 4, 1983]]

=== Tzolkinex ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of January 4, 1973]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of March 29, 1987]]

=== Half-Saros ===
* Preceded by: [[February 1971 lunar eclipse|Lunar eclipse of February 10, 1971]]
* Followed by: [[February 1989 lunar eclipse|Lunar eclipse of February 20, 1989]]

=== Tritos ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of March 18, 1969]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of January 15, 1991]]

=== Solar Saros 130 ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of February 5, 1962]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of February 26, 1998]]

=== Inex ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of March 7, 1951]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of January 26, 2009]]

=== Triad ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of April 16, 1893]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of December 17, 2066]]

=== Solar eclipses of 1979–1982 ===
{{Solar eclipse set 1979–1982}}

=== Saros 130 ===
{{Solar Saros series 130}}

=== Metonic series ===
{{Solar Metonic series 1953–2029}}

=== Tritos series ===
{{Solar Tritos series 2001 December 14}}

=== Inex series ===
{{Solar Inex series 2009 January 26}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<!--
<ref name="The Wichita Eagle 1980-02-16 p14">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-darkness-over-africa/133626323/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 14
  | title       = Darkness Over Africa: Solar Eclipse Sweeps By, and People Have Different Views
  | newspaper   = The Wichita Eagle
  | location    = Wichita, Kansas
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Evening Express 1980-02-16 p8">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-express-eclipse-awes-scientists/133626328/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 8
  | title       = Eclipse awes scientists, worries primitive tribes
  | newspaper   = Evening Express
  | location    = Portland, Maine
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Los Angeles Times 1980-02-16 p6">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-indie-girds-agains/133626331/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 6
  | title       = Indie Girds Against Eclipse With Rites, TV Monitors
  | newspaper   = The Los Angeles Times
  | location    = Los Angeles, California
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="St Cloud Times 1980-02-16 p3">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-sky-buffs-assemble-to-se/133626335/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 3
  | title       = Sky buffs assemble to see eclipse
  | newspaper   = St. Cloud Times
  | location    = Saint Cloud, Minnesota
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Palm Beach Post 1980-02-16 p3">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-eclipse-crowd-gather/133626339/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 3
  | title       = Eclipse Crowd Gathers
  | newspaper   = The Palm Beach Post
  | location    = West Palm Beach, Florida
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Bangor Daily News 1980-02-16 p26">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bangor-daily-news-campaigns-fight-su/133626319/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 26
  | title       = Campaigns fight superstition: Scientists ready to study eclipse
  | newspaper   = The Bangor Daily News
  | location    = Bangor, Maine
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Manchester Evening News 1980-02-16 p1">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-day-sun-was-out/133626485/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 1
  | title       = Day sun was out for a Bombay duck...
  | newspaper   = Manchester Evening News
  | location    = Manchester, Greater Manchester, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Evening Sentinel 1980-02-16 p1">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-sentinel-total-eclipse-over-indi/133626512/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 1
  | title       = Total eclipse over India
  | newspaper   = Evening Sentinel
  | location    = Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Hull Daily Mail 1980-02-16 p6">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-mail-eclipse-pleases-brearly/133626539/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 6
  | title       = Eclipse pleases Brearly
  | newspaper   = Hull Daily Mail
  | location    = Hull, Humberside, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Cambridge Evening News 1980-02-16 p2">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/cambridge-evening-news-solar-eclipse-sho/133626647/
  | date        = 1980-02-16
  | page        = 2
  | title       = SOLAR ECLIPSE SHOULD HELP ENGLAND
  | newspaper   = Cambridge Evening News
  | location    = Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Courier Journal 1980-02-17 p6">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-demons-in-the-sky/133627036/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 6
  | title       = Demons in the sky
  | newspaper   = The Courier-Journal
  | location    = Louisville, Kentucky
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Sapulpa Daily Herald 1980-02-17 p13">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/sapulpa-daily-herald-african-solar-eclip/133627019/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 13
  | title       = African Solar Eclipse Excites Scientists, Scares Tribesmen
  | newspaper   = Sapulpa Daily Herald
  | location    = Sapulpa, Oklahoma
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Courier Post 1980-02-17 p50">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/courier-post-eclipse-awes-modern-primit/133626983/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 50
  | title       = Eclipse awes modern, primitive man
  | newspaper   = Courier-Post
  | location    = Camden, New Jersey
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Honolulu Star Bulletin 1980-02-17 p12">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-the-sun-is-turned/133626780/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 12
  | title       = The sun is turned off during eclipse in Africa, Asia
  | newspaper   = Honolulu Star-Bulletin
  | location    = Honolulu, Hawaii
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Philadelphia Inquirer 1980-02-17 p42">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-throngs-trembl/133626819/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 42
  | title       = Throngs tremble, marvel at eclipse
  | newspaper   = The Philadelphia Inquirer
  | location    = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Roanoke Times 1980-02-17 p143">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-rare-eclipse-excites-i/133626844/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 143
  | title       = Rare eclipse excites India; mass holiday observed
  | newspaper   = The Roanoke Times
  | location    = Roanoke, Virginia
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Fort Worth Star Telegram 1980-02-17 p12">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-eclipse-puts-ke/133626866/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 12
  | title       = Eclipse puts Kenyans in the dark for 4 minutes
  | newspaper   = Fort Worth Star-Telegram
  | location    = Fort Worth, Texas
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Toronto Star 1980-02-17 p17">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-billions-see-the-sun-go/133626894/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 17
  | title       = Billions see the sun go out
  | newspaper   = The Toronto Star
  | location    = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Idaho Statesman 1980-02-17 p48">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-science-teams-view-a/133626914/
  | date        = 1980-02-17
  | page        = 48
  | title       = Science teams view African solar eclipse
  | newspaper   = The Idaho Statesman
  | location    = Boise, Idaho
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
  -->
}}

{{Solar eclipse NASA reference|1951/SE1980Feb16T|19800216}}
* [http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/Solar_Corona_Shape_pg03.html Foto Solar eclipse of February 16, 1980]
* [http://www.zam.fme.vutbr.cz/~druck/Eclipse/Ecl1980i/0-info.htm Prof. Druckmüller's eclipse photography site, Solar eclipse of February 16, 1980]

{{Solar eclipses}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solar Eclipse Of February 16, 1980}}
[[Category:Total solar eclipses|1980 02 16]]
[[Category:1980 in science]]
[[Category:20th-century solar eclipses|1980 02 16]]
[[Category:February 1980]]
[[Category:1980 in Zaire]]
[[Category:1980 in Tanzania]]
[[Category:1980 in Kenya]]
[[Category:1980 in India]]
[[Category:1980 in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:1980 in China]]
[[Category:1980 in Burma]]