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July 20, 1963 — Total Solar Eclipse — Washington DC, USA

Jul 20, 1963 at 5:50 pm
Max View in Washington DC, District of Columbia
Global Event: Total Solar Eclipse
Local Type: Partial Solar Eclipse in Washington DC, District of Columbia
Began: Sat, Jul 20, 1963 at 4:42 pm
Maximum: Sat, Jul 20, 1963 at 5:50 pm 0.817 Magnitude
Ended: Sat, Jul 20, 1963 at 6:52 pm
Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes

All times shown on this page are local time.

Location

July 20, 1963 — Total Solar Eclipse — Washington DC

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The animation shows what the eclipse approximately looked like in Washington DC. Stages and times of the eclipse are outlined below. All times were local time (EDT) for Washington DC.

PhaseTimeEventDirectionAltitude

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.

Baily’s beads

Just before totality, beads of sunlight stream through valleys along the edge of the Moon.

Baily’s beads

Just before annularity, beads of sunlight stream through valleys along the edge of the Moon.

Annularity begins

The moment the Sun forms a ring around the Moon is called second contact.

Ring of fire

The Sun shines as a dazzling annulus (a ring shape) around the Moon.

Chromosphere

The chromosphere—a thin, red layer of the Sun’s atmosphere—is briefly visible.

Prominences

Reddish, tounge-like prominences may poke out from the Sun during totality.

Corona

During totality, the ghostly corona shines as brightly as a Full Moon.

Chromosphere

Just before the end of totality, the chromosphere briefly reappears.

Annularity ends

The moment the Sun’s ring around the Moon is broken is called third contact.

Baily's beads

A new set of Baily’s beads appears, signalling the end of annularity.

Baily’s beads

A new set of Baily’s beads appears, signalling the end of totality.

Diamond ring

Baily’s beads come together to form another dazzling jewel of sunlight.

Dark shadow sweeps out

The Moon’s umbral shadow departs toward the east.

Corona fades

The ring of the corona around the Moon disappears from view.

Dark shadow on horizon

The Moon’s umbral shadow may be visible in the distance as it retreats to the east.

Maximum eclipse

The deepest point of the eclipse, with the Sun at its most hidden.

Maximum eclipse

The deepest point of the eclipse, with the Sun at its most hidden.

Partial eclipse begins

The moment the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun is called first contact.

Partial eclipse begins

The moment the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun is called first contact.

Partial eclipse ends

The moment the edge of the Moon leaves the edge of the Sun is called fourth contact.

Partial eclipse ends

The moment the edge of the Moon leaves the edge of the Sun is called fourth contact.

Sunrise

The sun is rising.

Sunrise

The sun is rising.

Sunrise

The sun is rising.

Sunset

The sun is setting.

Sunset

The sun is setting.

Sunset

The sun is setting.

Temperature changes

As the Moon covers the Sun, the amount of solar energy decreases.

Temperature changes

As the Moon covers the Sun, the amount of solar energy decreases.

Temperature changes

As the Moon covers the Sun, the amount of solar energy decreases.

Sharp & blurry shadows

Shadow edges that are aligned with the Sun’s narrowing crescent become sharper.

Sharp & blurry shadows

Shadow edges that are aligned with the Sun’s narrowing crescent become sharper.

Sharp & blurry shadows

Shadow edges that are aligned with the Sun’s narrowing crescent become sharper.

Brightness of sky

As the eclipse progresses, the sky starts to become noticeably darker.

Brightness of sky

As the eclipse progresses, the sky starts to become noticeably darker.

Brightness of sky

As the eclipse progresses, the sky starts to become noticeably darker.

Temperature, humidity & wind

Conditions continue to change as the amount of solar energy decreases.

Temperature, humidity & wind

Conditions continue to change as the amount of solar energy decreases.

Temperature, humidity & wind

Conditions continue to change as the amount of solar energy decreases.

Light levels & colors

Surroundings start to darken, while colors start to turn grayish.

Light levels & colors

Surroundings start to darken, while colors start to turn grayish.

Light levels & colors

Surroundings start to darken, while colors start to turn grayish.

Reaction of nature

The behavior of animals and plants starts to be affected by falling levels of light.

Reaction of nature

The behavior of animals and plants starts to be affected by falling levels of light.

Reaction of nature

The behavior of animals and plants starts to be affected by falling levels of light.

Shadow bands

Faint waves of light may be seen moving across the ground and walls.

Nature returns to normal

Animals and plants are going back to their usual behavior.

Nature returns to normal

Animals and plants are going back to their usual behavior.

Nature returns to normal

Animals and plants are going back to their usual behavior.

Light levels & temperature

The conditions of the sky and surroundings are returning to normal.

Light levels & temperature

The conditions of the sky and surroundings are returning to normal.

Light levels & temperature

The conditions of the sky and surroundings are returning to normal.

Shadow bands

Faint waves of light may reappear along the ground and walls.

Moon bites Sun

Using eclipse glasses, the eclipse starts to become visible to the eye.

Moon bites Sun

Using eclipse glasses, the eclipse starts to become visible to the eye.

Moon bites Sun

Using eclipse glasses, the eclipse starts to become visible to the eye.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

Obscuration around 20%

One-fifth of the area of the Sun’s disk is covered by the Moon.

The total phase of this solar eclipse was not visible in Washington DC, but it could be observed there as a partial solar eclipse. The Moon covered a large portion of the Sun, so this was a spectacular sight.

Where the Eclipse Was Seen

Try our new interactive eclipse maps. Zoom in and search for accurate eclipse times and visualizations for any location.

Protect Your Eyes! Find out how to safely watch solar eclipses here

Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. You can seriously hurt your eyes, and even go blind… read more


Eclipses and Transits Visible in Washington DC

Eclipse Visibility From Washington DCVisibility Worldwide
Mar 13, 1960 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Sep 5, 1960 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Nov 7, 1960 Mercury TransitMercury Transit
Mar 2, 1961 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePartial Lunar Eclipse
Aug 25–26, 1961 Partial Lunar EclipsePartial Lunar Eclipse
Feb 19, 1962 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePenumbral Lunar Eclipse
Jan 9, 1963 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePenumbral Lunar Eclipse
Jul 6, 1963 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePartial Lunar Eclipse
Jul 20, 1963 Partial Solar EclipseTotal Solar Eclipse
Dec 30, 1963 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Jun 24–25, 1964 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Dec 18–19, 1964 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Jun 13–14, 1965 Partial Lunar EclipsePartial Lunar Eclipse
Oct 29, 1966 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePenumbral Lunar Eclipse
Apr 24, 1967 Penumbral Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
May 9, 1967 Partial Solar EclipsePartial Solar Eclipse
Oct 18, 1967 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Apr 12–13, 1968 Total Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Oct 6, 1968 Partial Lunar EclipseTotal Lunar Eclipse
Aug 27, 1969 Penumbral Lunar EclipsePenumbral Lunar Eclipse

Note: Click on the date link for details in Washington DC, or the path map image for global details. Currently shown eclipse is highlighted.

Next annular eclipse visible in Washington DC

Other eclipses visible in Washington DC

Other eclipses worldwide