Rare Hybrid Solar Eclipse Expected in Kenya 3rd November

This year holds great excitement as a hybrid eclipse is set to occur on 3rd November - There will be an annular eclipse in which the moon covers all but a bright ring around the circumference of the sun; and then a short total eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and completely covers light from the sun. Hybrid solar eclipses are rare, and totality occurs only along a narrow path on Earth's surface traced by the Moon's shadow or umbra. This year's hybrid eclipse will be visible within a narrow corridor - over the North Atlantic to Equatorial Africa. The term hybrid eclipse is due to the shift from annular to total eclipse.

The total phase of the eclipse will pass over Kenya briefly for 15 seconds over Lake Turkana. Lake Turkana is one of the few places on earth where it will be possible to view the total eclipse. At least 1,000 international tourists are expected in the country to view the hybrid solar eclipse expected (annular/total eclipse) to be sighted on November 3.

The hybrid solar eclipse will be viewed at about 1725hrs in Ali Abey, Sibiloi National Park.
The solar eclipse will pass over Equatorial Gabon in Western Africa congo, Uganda, Kenya and finally Ethiopia. Lodwar in Kenya reports a very encouraging “percent of possible sunshine” of 74%, strong confirmation of a pronounced decline in cloudiness toward the eastern end of the eclipse track, though the value is so high as to invite a little suspicion which results to a very high resolution which makes it the best point to be during this time of event. There is a penalty to be paid for good weather however, as the duration of the eclipse declines to less than 20 seconds across Kenya and to less than 10 seconds in Ethiopia.

Lake Turkana is located in the Northern region of the country known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind'; due to the unique pre-historic and archeological sites and discoveries linked to the origin of man that have been found in the region. The region is thus of great importance to scientific researchers and students. Eclipse chasers will enjoy opportunity to combine the experience with adventure tourism such as camping in the tough outdoors; trekking; Safari in the Sibiloi National Park, home to many archaeological sites where some of the oldest hominid fossils have been discovered; and the South and Central Island National Parks to take in the scenic crater lakes also known for Crocodiles, Flamingo and Tilapia.