Solar eclipse of March 9, 1997

Solar eclipse of March 9, 1997
Total eclipse from Chita, Russia
Map
Type of eclipse
Nature	Total
Gamma	0.9183
Magnitude	1.042
Maximum eclipse
Duration	170 s (2 min 50 s)
Coordinates	57°48′N 130°42′E / 57.8°N 130.7°E / 57.8; 130.7
Max. width of band	356 km (221 mi)
Times (UTC)
Greatest eclipse	1:24:51
References
Saros	120 (60 of 71)
Catalog # (SE5000)	9501

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Sunday, March 9, 1997, with a magnitude of 1.042. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is larger than the Sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometres wide. Totality was visible in eastern Russia, Northern Mongolia, northern tip of Xinjiang and Northeastern China and eastern tip of Kazakhstan.