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The animation shows what the eclipse approximately looked like in Orange Walk Town. Stages and times of the eclipse are outlined below. All times were local time (CST) for Orange Walk Town.
Phase
Time
Event
Direction
Altitude
Partial eclipse begins
The moment the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun is called first contact.
Totality begins
The moment the edge of the Moon covers all of the Sun is called second contact.
Maximum eclipse
The deepest point of the eclipse, with the Sun at its most hidden.
Totality ends
The moment the edge of the Moon exposes the Sun is called third contact.
Partial eclipse ends
The edge of the Moon leaves the edge of the Sun.
Dark shadow on horizon
The Moon’s umbral shadow may become visible as it approaches from the west.
Corona appears
The corona—the outer part of the Sun’s atmosphere—starts to become visible.
Dark shadow sweeps in
The Moon’s umbral shadow arrives from the west and envelops the surroundings.
Diamond ring
The corona forms a ring around the dark Moon, while the Sun dazzles like a jewel.
This annular solar eclipse was fully visible in Orange Walk Town. Observers there could experience the “ring of fire” that is characteristic for this kind of solar eclipse. This was a rare and spectacular event that could only be experienced along a relatively narrow strip on the Earth's surface. The eclipse was also visible in other areas, but the Moon did not move centrally in front of the Sun there and the “ring of fire” was not visible.
