View source for Solar eclipse of June 20, 1955

{{Short description|Total eclipse}}
{{Infobox solar eclipse|1955Jun20
| previous         = Solar eclipse of December 25, 1954
| next             = Solar eclipse of December 14, 1955
}}
A total [[solar eclipse]] occurred at the Moon's [[Lunar node|descending node]] of orbit on Monday, June 20, 1955,<ref>{{cite web|title=June 20, 1955 Total Solar Eclipse|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/1955-june-20|publisher=timeanddate|access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="Idaho State Journal 1955-06-21 p3" /><!-- Tue --><ref name="The Lexington Herald 1955-06-21 p1" /><!-- Tue --><ref name="The World 1955-06-21 p11" /><!-- Tue --><ref name="Troy Daily News 1955-06-20 p10" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="News Pilot 1955-06-20 p3" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="Coventry Evening Telegraph 1955-06-20 p14" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="Hull Daily Mail 1955-06-20 p5" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="Birmingham Evening Mail 1955-06-20 p9" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="Des Moines Tribune 1955-06-20 p3" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="The Boston Globe 1955-06-20 p8" /><!-- Mon --><ref name="The Berkshire Eagle 1955-06-20 p1" /><!-- Mon --><!-- Citations generated by JPxG's PressPass v2.1, 2023-10-18 --> with a [[Magnitude of eclipse|magnitude]] of 1.0776. 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 14.5 hours after [[Apsis|perigee]] (on June 19, 1955, at 14:40 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=1954&n=136|publisher=timeanddate|access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>

With a maximum duration of 7 minutes 7.74 seconds, this is the longest solar eclipse of Saros series 136, as well as the longest total solar eclipse since the 11th century, and until the [[Solar eclipse of June 25, 2150|22nd century]], because greatest eclipse occurred near the equator.<ref name="mivR6" />

Totality began over the Indian Ocean, British Seychelles (today's [[Seychelles]]) and Maldives, crossing Ceylon (name changed to [[Sri Lanka]] later) including the capital city [[Colombo]], [[Andaman Islands]], [[Union of Burma (1948–1962)|Burma]] (today's [[Myanmar]]), [[Thailand]] including the capital city [[Bangkok]], [[Cambodia]], [[Kingdom of Laos|Laos]], [[South Vietnam]] (now belonging to [[Vietnam]]), [[Paracel Islands]] and [[Scarborough Shoal]] (near the greatest eclipse), moving across the Philippines including the capital city [[Manila]], [[Kayangel]] Atoll in the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]] (now belonging to [[Palau]]), [[Nukumanu Islands]] in the [[Territory of Papua New Guinea]] (today's [[Papua New Guinea]]), towards northern [[Ontong Java Atoll]] in [[British Solomon Islands]] (today's [[Solomon Islands]]) ending over Southwestern Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse was visible for parts of [[South Asia]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[East Asia]], [[Australia]], and [[Oceania]].

This was the second of four central solar eclipses visible from Bangkok from [[Solar eclipse of May 9, 1948|1948]] to [[Solar eclipse of April 19, 1958|1958]], where it is extremely rare for a large city to witness four central solar eclipses within 10 years.

== Observations ==
The Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now incorporated into the [[National Astronomical Observatory of Japan]]) of the [[University of Tokyo]] sent an expedition to Ceylon, but observation failed due to bad weather conditions. The Hydrographic Office of Japan (now {{ill|Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department|ja|海洋情報部}} of [[Japan Coast Guard]]) sent a team to the western coast of {{ill| Bình Thuận, Bình Sơn|vi|lt=Bình Thuận}}, [[Bình Sơn district]], [[Quảng Ngãi province]], [[South Vietnam]]. The whole process was not affected by any clouds or fog. The team said that totality of this eclipse was particularly dark compared with previous total solar eclipses observed, and the long duration of totality was also one of the reasons. The team took many images of [[stellar corona|solar corona]] successfully.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Kuniji Saito|title=Photometry of the Solar Corona at the Eclipse on June 20, 1955|journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan|url=http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1956PASJ....8..126S.html|volume=8|pages=126–141|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513223051/http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1956PASJ....8..126S.html}}</ref> A small team from the [[United States]] observed the total eclipse from Thailand. Some members of the [[Thai royal family]] also saw the eclipse from [[Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province]], north of the capital city Bangkok. In addition, [[Radio Thailand]] also broadcast a special program on the total solar eclipse nationally, which was the first such broadcast in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web|title=SOLAR ECLIPSES IN SIAM (THAILAND)|url=http://www.narit.or.th/en/index.php/public-outreach/articles-for-public/357-solar-eclipses-in-siam-thailand|publisher=[[National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330231746/http://www.narit.or.th/en/index.php/public-outreach/articles-for-public/357-solar-eclipses-in-siam-thailand|archive-date=30 March 2016}}</ref>

== Eclipse details ==
Shown below are two tables displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. The first table outlines times at which the moon's penumbra or umbra attains the specific parameter, and the second table describes various other parameters pertaining to this eclipse.<ref>{{cite web|title=Total Solar Eclipse of 1955 Jun 20|url=https://eclipsewise.com/solar/SEprime/1901-2000/SE1955Jun20Tprime.html|publisher=EclipseWise.com|access-date=5 August 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align="{{{align|left}}}" style="margin:{{#ifeq:{{{align}}}|left|0 0 0.5em 1em|0 1em 0.5em 0}}"
|+June 20, 1955 Solar Eclipse Times
! Event
! Time (UTC)
|-
| First Penumbral External Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 01:33:50.0 UTC
|-
| First Umbral External Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 02:27:20.5 UTC
|-
| First Central Line
| 1955 June 20 at 02:28:55.7 UTC
|-
| First Umbral Internal Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 02:30:30.9 UTC
|-
| First Penumbral Internal Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 03:25:02.8 UTC
|-
| Greatest Duration
| 1955 June 20 at 04:08:34.6 UTC
|-
| Greatest Eclipse
| 1955 June 20 at 04:10:42.0 UTC
|-
| Equatorial Conjunction
| 1955 June 20 at 04:12:01.6 UTC
|-
| Ecliptic Conjunction
| 1955 June 20 at 04:12:15.4 UTC
|-
| Last Penumbral Internal Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 04:56:19.0 UTC
|-
| Last Umbral Internal Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 05:50:53.2 UTC
|-
| Last Central Line
| 1955 June 20 at 05:52:27.7 UTC
|-
| Last Umbral External Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 05:54:02.2 UTC
|-
| Last Penumbral External Contact
| 1955 June 20 at 06:47:35.0 UTC
|}

{|class="wikitable" align="{{{align|right}}}" style="margin:{{#ifeq:{{{align}}}|right|0 0 0.5em 1em|0 1em 0.5em 0}}"
|+June 20, 1955 Solar Eclipse Parameters
! Parameter
! Value
|-
| Eclipse Magnitude
| 1.07756
|-
| Eclipse Obscuration
| 1.16113
|-
| Gamma
| −0.15278
|-
| Sun Right Ascension
| 05h51m36.9s
|-
| Sun Declination
| +23°25'50.7"
|-
| Sun Semi-Diameter
| 15'44.3"
|-
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax
| 08.7"
|-
| Moon Right Ascension
| 05h51m33.5s
|-
| Moon Declination
| +23°16'33.0"
|-
| Moon Semi-Diameter
| 16'40.5"
|-
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax
| 1°01'11.8"
|-
| ΔT
| 31.2 s
|}
{{clear}}

== 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 June 1955
! [[June 1955 lunar eclipse|June 5]]<br/>Ascending node (full moon) || June 20<br/>Descending node (new moon)<br/>
|-
| [[File:Lunar eclipse chart close-1955Jun05.png|200px]] || [[File:SE1955Jun20T.png|200px]]
|- align=center
| [[Lunar eclipse#Types of lunar eclipse|Penumbral lunar eclipse]]<br />Lunar Saros 110 || [[Total eclipse#Types|Total solar eclipse]]<br />Solar Saros 136
|}

== Related eclipses ==
=== Eclipses in 1955 ===
* [[January 1955 lunar eclipse|A penumbral lunar eclipse on January 8]].
* [[June 1955 lunar eclipse|A penumbral lunar eclipse on June 5]].
* '''A total solar eclipse on June 20.'''
* [[November 1955 lunar eclipse|A partial lunar eclipse on November 29]].
* [[Solar eclipse of December 14, 1955|An annular solar eclipse on December 14]].

=== Metonic ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of September 1, 1951]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of April 8, 1959]]

=== Tzolkinex ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of May 9, 1948]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of July 31, 1962]]

=== Half-Saros ===
* Preceded by: [[June 1946 lunar eclipse|Lunar eclipse of June 14, 1946]]
* Followed by: [[June 1964 lunar eclipse|Lunar eclipse of June 25, 1964]]

=== Tritos ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of July 20, 1944]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of May 20, 1966]]

=== Solar Saros 136 ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of June 8, 1937]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of June 30, 1973]]

=== Inex ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of July 9, 1926]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of May 30, 1984]]

=== Triad ===
* Preceded by: [[Solar eclipse of August 18, 1868]]
* Followed by: [[Solar eclipse of April 20, 2042]]

=== Solar eclipses of 1953–1956 ===
{{Solar eclipse set 1953–1956}}

=== Saros 136 ===
{{Solar Saros series 136}}

=== Metonic series ===
{{Solar Metonic series 1902–1989}}

=== Tritos series ===
{{Solar Tritos series 2010 January 15}}

=== Inex series ===
{{Solar Inex series 2013 May 10}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Idaho State Journal 1955-06-21 p3">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/idaho-state-journal-us-to-observe-ecli/133624951/
  | date        = 1955-06-21
  | page        = 3
  | title       = U.S. to Observe Eclipse of Sun April 8, 2024
  | newspaper   = Idaho State Journal
  | location    = Pocatello, Idaho
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-17
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Lexington Herald 1955-06-21 p1">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-longest-eclipse-in/133625177/
  | date        = 1955-06-21
  | page        = 1
  | title       = Longest Eclipse In 1238 Years Lasts For Seven Minutes And Blacks Out An Area Of 1276000 Square Miles
  | newspaper   = The Lexington Herald
  | location    = Lexington, Kentucky
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-17
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The World 1955-06-21 p11">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-world-didnt-see-eclipse-catch-the/133625588/
  | date        = 1955-06-21
  | page        = 11
  | title       = Didn't See Eclipse? Catch The One In 2024
  | newspaper   = The World
  | location    = Coos Bay, Oregon
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-17
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Troy Daily News 1955-06-20 p10">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/troy-daily-news-long-eclipse-seen-in-sou/133625751/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 10
  | title       = Long Eclipse Seen In South China Sea Area
  | newspaper   = Troy Daily News
  | location    = Troy, Ohio
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="News Pilot 1955-06-20 p3">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-pilot-seven-minute-long-eclipse-dar/133625737/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 3
  | title       = Seven Minute Long Eclipse Darkens South China Seas
  | newspaper   = News-Pilot
  | location    = San Pedro, California
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Coventry Evening Telegraph 1955-06-20 p14">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/coventry-evening-telegraph-clouds-black/133625705/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 14
  | title       = CLOUDS BLACK OUT ECLIPSE IN CEYLON
  | newspaper   = Coventry Evening Telegraph
  | location    = Coventry, West Midlands, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Hull Daily Mail 1955-06-20 p5">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-mail-clouds-black-out-eclipse/133625824/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 5
  | title       = Clouds black out eclipse
  | newspaper   = Hull Daily Mail
  | location    = Hull, Humberside, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Birmingham Evening Mail 1955-06-20 p9">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-evening-mail-in-tears-as-clou/133625858/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 9
  | title       = In tears as cloud hides the eclipse
  | newspaper   = Birmingham Evening Mail
  | location    = Birmingham, West Midlands, England
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="Des Moines Tribune 1955-06-20 p3">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-night-fliers-eclip/133625890/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 3
  | title       = 'Night' Fliers: Eclipse
  | newspaper   = Des Moines Tribune
  | location    = Des Moines, Iowa
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Boston Globe 1955-06-20 p8">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-clouds-spoil-ceylon-sho/133625927/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 8
  | title       = Clouds Spoil Ceylon Show: Harvard's Team Gets Best Look at Eclipse
  | newspaper   = The Boston Globe
  | location    = Boston, Massachusetts
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="The Berkshire Eagle 1955-06-20 p1">{{Cite news
  | url         = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkshire-eagle-clouds-favor-harvard/133625990/
  | date        = 1955-06-20
  | page        = 1
  | title       = Clouds Favor Harvard Eclipse Lookout But Balk Hayden, German Photographing
  | newspaper   = The Berkshire Eagle
  | location    = Pittsfield, Massachusetts
  | via         = Newspapers.com
  | access-date = 2023-10-18
  }}</ref>
<ref name="mivR6">{{cite web
  | url       = http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SE1001-1100.html
  | title     = Catalog of Solar Eclipses: 1001 to 1100
  | author    = Fred Espenak
  | publisher = NASA
  }}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{Solar eclipse NASA reference|1951/SE1955Jun20T|19550620}}
* [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1956PASJ....8..126S Photometry of the Solar Corona at the Eclipse on June 20, 1955,  Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, vol. 8, p.126 (1956).]
* [http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot1951/SE1955Jun20T.GIF Nasa.gov]

{{Solar eclipses}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solar Eclipse Of June 20, 1955}}
[[Category:Total solar eclipses|1955 06 20]]
[[Category:1955 in science]]
[[Category:20th-century solar eclipses|1955 06 20]]
[[Category:June 1955]]