2021 Chile Total Solar Eclipse Flight
The 2021 Southern Ocean Eclipse Flight
Late in 2021, Chile again opened to tourists and T.E.I. Tours organized a pair of eclipse flights over the Southern Ocean between Chile and Antartica. The path of the eclipse was only crossing Antartica, and weather predictions called for most of the Southern Ocean to be covered by clouds making viewing from cruise ships unlikely. While we gathered in Santiago, we got word that our required backup landing site on the Falkland Islands was being closed due to COVID, forcing us to upgrade the two planes to more expensive Boeing 787s which had the needed range. In our more luxurious setting, we joined 1m 34s of totality. YouTube video.
The Chilan Andes from our flight from Santiago to Puenta Arenas.
The Boeing 787 we observed the eclipse from.
Flighting out to intercept the Total Solar Eclipse.
The 2021 Total Solar Eclipse at mid-totality over the cloud bank covering the Southern Ocean. The second Boeing 787 is to the left of the Sun.
The shadow of the Moon is approaching the 2021 Total Solar Eclipse from the left. The silhouette of the second Boeing 787 is on the left side of the frame.
After the eclipse; Bob Stephens, Catelin Beldea, and Alson Wong.
Penguins on Magdalena Island in the Strait of Magellan.
Punta Arenas and the Strait of Magellan.
Don't get lost.