Case file · Cosmic event
Concorde chases the Saharan eclipse
On 30 June 1973, the longest total solar eclipse of the century crossed Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad. The Concorde 001 prototype flew along the shadow and gave scientists 74 minutes of totality.
1973 CE · 18.00, 6.00 · status: official
The account
Observers on the ground in the Sahel had up to about seven minutes. The plotted point lies on the track in Niger's Aïr region and is approximate. In many West African communities an eclipse is read as a sign; the 1947 eclipse in Benin plays a role in the founding of the Celestial Church of Christ.