The Umbra

Approach of the lunar umbra (shadow) at supersonic speed (4,600 km/h) in the total solar eclipse of November 3th, 1994 from Santuario de Quillacas in Bolivia. The position of the observer, at 4,400 m above sea level, has allowed to obtain this image, just a few seconds before the 2nd contact (beginning of totality), which produces the feeling that the sky descends on the land (in the foreground, the dry lake Poopó). The point of light in the sky (top left) is the star Sirius.