Solar eclipse of December 4, 2002

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, with a magnitude of 1.0244. 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. It was visible from a narrow corridor in southern Africa, the Indian Ocean and southern Australia. A partial eclipse was seen from the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra, including most of Africa and Australia. During the sunset after the eclipse many observers in Australia saw numerous and unusual forms of a green flash.

In some parts of Angola, it was the second total eclipse of the Sun within 18 months, following the Solar eclipse of June 21, 2001.

Observations
The Chinese Academy of Sciences sent a team to Australia, to study the gravity anomalies first recorded by Indian scientists during the total solar eclipse of October 24, 1995. The Chinese Academy of Sciences also studied it during previous total solar eclipses of March 9, 1997 in Mohe County and June 21, 2001 in Zambia. With continuous observation for more than 10 years after that, China obtained the first observational evidence that the gravity field propagates at the speed of light.

Eclipses of 2002

 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on May 26.
 * An annular solar eclipse on June 10.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on June 24.
 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on November 20.
 * A total solar eclipse on December 4.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 16, 1999
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of September 22, 2006

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of October 24, 1995
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of January 15, 2010

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 29, 1993
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 10, 2011

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of January 4, 1992
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of November 3, 2013

Solar Saros 142

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of November 22, 1984
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 14, 2020

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of December 24, 1973
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of November 14, 2031

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 3, 1916
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of October 4, 2089