A total eclipse of the Sun occurred on 24 December, 0474 UT Old Style, with maximum eclipse at 20:53 UT. A dramatic total eclipse plunged the Sun into darkness for 3 minutes and 20 seconds at maximum, creating an amazing spectacle for observers in a path up to 129 km wide.

The total eclipse lasted for 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Maximum eclipse was at 20:53:05 UT.

Overview Map

This map sourced from NASA Goddard Space flight Center: GSFC Eclipse Web SiteGSFC Eclipse Web Site
The primary source of all the information on eclipses presented here at Hermit Eclipse. (NASA Goddard Space flight Center)
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html
shows the visibility of the total solar eclipse. It also shows the broader area in which a partial eclipse was seen. (Click on it for the full-sized version.)

Eclipse Season and Saros Series

This eclipse season contains 2 eclipses:

This was the 53rd eclipse in solar Saros series 78.The surrounding eclipses in this Saros series are:

This Saros series, solar Saros series 78, is linked to lunar Saros series 71. The nearest partner eclipses in that series are:

Eclipse Parameters

UT Date/time (max) 20:53:05 on 24 Dec UT TDT Date/time (max) 22:31:52 on 24 Dec TDT
Saros Series 78 Number in Series 53
Penumbral Magnitiude Central Magnitiude 1.0332
Gamma 0.5039 Path Width (km) 129
Delta T 1h39m Error ± 4m44s (95%)
Penumbral Duration Partial Duration
Total Duration 3m20s
Partial Rating Total Rating

Note that while all dates and times on this site (except where noted) are in UT, which is within a second of civil time, the dates and times shown in NASA's eclipse listingsGSFC Eclipse Web Site
The primary source of all the information on eclipses presented here at Hermit Eclipse. (NASA Goddard Space flight Center)
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html
are in the TDT timescale.

Data last updated: 2015-06-21 22:11:43 UTC.