At 7h32m32s UT, the annular phase of the eclipse begins at the Jinsha River, which marks the border between Tibet and China’s Sichuan province. Annularity there lasts 44 seconds, with the Sun 61° high at mideclipse. The antumbra leaves China at 8h11m20s UT at the port of Xiamen, a city of more than 3 million people. There, the length of annularity increases to 58 seconds while the Sun stands 35° high in the west. Unfortunately, Beijing sits well outside the path; people there will experience a 59 percent partial eclipse.
Although China, with its lengthy eclipse track and many wonderful sights, seems like an ideal place for eclipse watchers, weather prospects are not good. Due to the monsoon season, average cloud cover over much of eastern China ranges from 70 to 90 percent at this time of year.
As the eclipse’s path leaves China, it crosses the South China Sea at the Taiwan Strait and touches the northern part of the Penghu Islands. On the northernmost island, an observer will experience 59 seconds of annularity.
When the center line hits the Taiwanese coast just west of Chiayi City at 8h13m17s UT, observers will witness a one-minute annular eclipse. The antumbra makes its last landfall on the island’s east coast at 8h15m58s UT. Unfortunately, with the potential for cloudiness at 94 percent, Taiwan offers the worst weather prospects for eclipse viewers.
Into the Pacific Ocean
After leaving Taiwan, the Moon’s antumbra continues for another 1,900 miles (3,055 km) over the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. The closest it gets to land again occurs less than 230 miles (370 km) from the end of the antumbral path, where the southern tip of Guam lies a scant 8 miles (13 km) from its northern limit. Closest approach is at 8h31m14s UT with the Sun only 3° above the horizon. The eclipse officially ends at sunset at 8h32m20s UT.
Iffy weather prospects along much of the path and some less-than-welcoming countries would daunt most travelers. Eclipse chasers, however, are a different breed. Their desire to see the “ring of fire” simply makes the June 21 annular eclipse another of life’s great adventures.