Solar eclipse of February 15, 1961

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Wednesday, February 15, 1961, with a magnitude of 1.036. Totality was visible from France, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, SFR Yugoslavia (parts now belonging to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, North Macedonia), Albania, Bulgaria including the capital city Sofia, Romania including the capital city Bucharest, and the Soviet Union (parts now belonging to Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan). The maximum eclipse was recorded near Novocherkassk (Russian SFSR).

This was the 51st of 55 umbral eclipses in Solar Saros 120.

Observation
A team from the University of Texas observed the total eclipse in Pisa, Italy, mostly studying the solar irradiance with a wavelength below 1 centimeter. At that time, coronagraphs had already allowed coronal observation in the visible light band so it could be observed at any time, not just during total solar eclipses, but instruments allowing millimeter-wave band observations were still lacking. Therefore, it was still necessary to make such observations during a total solar eclipse. Arcetri Observatory in Florence, Italy also made observations.

In popular culture
The crucifixion scene in the 1961 film Barabbas was shot during this eclipse.

Eclipses in 1961

 * A total solar eclipse on February 15, 1961.
 * A partial lunar eclipse on March 2, 1961.
 * An annular solar eclipse on August 11, 1961.
 * A partial lunar eclipse on August 26, 1961.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of April 30, 1957
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 4, 1964

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of January 5, 1954
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of March 28, 1968

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 11, 1952
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of February 21, 1970

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of March 18, 1950
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of January 16, 1972

Solar Saros 120

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 4, 1943
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 26, 1979

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of March 7, 1932
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of January 26, 1990

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of April 16, 1874
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 16, 2047