Eclipse 1999

On the 11th of August at 11 minutes past 11am, Southern England was shrouded in nearly total darkness as an eerie hush fell and the population gazed skyward at the last total solar eclipse of this millennium. A total solar eclipse is a breathtaking event, and this documentary conveys that awe by exploring how and why eclipses happen. The programme blends computer-generated views from outer space, footage of eclipses throughout the 20th century (some dating back to 1927), and original footage of this year's total solar eclipse shot in Cornwall, making it a celebration of eclipse mania.