Total Solar Eclipse - Aug 99
The path of the total eclipse went through the heart of Europe.
The crowd gathers in the main plaza of Rouen, France wearing eclipse glasses.
Although the sky was mostly cloudy, there were gaps in the clouds allowing views of the sun.
The beginning of the eclipse could be seen through the thin clouds.
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The safe way to watch an eclipse is with a telescope.
The sun is almost covered by the moon as the clouds get thicker.
Rouen, France during the total eclipse. Heavy clouds moved in and the eclipse could not be seen. It became very dark and the automatic lights came on. The crowd became quiet and then cheered.
Soon after totality, the moon covers the lower left part of the sun. The heaviest clouds of the day occurred during the few moments of totality when the sun is completely covered by the Sun. In some cities in Europe, the total eclipse could be seen the whole time. It was just bad luck to be in Rouen that day. Joan of Arc also had some bad luck in Rouen, getting burned at the stake in the same square in 1431.