Solar eclipse of June 30, 1992

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Tuesday, June 30, 1992, with a magnitude of 1.0592. 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 southeastern Uruguay and southern tip of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Observations
The path of totality was mostly on the sea and covered very little land. From the only land covered by it in southeasern Uruguay and southern tip of Brazil, totality occurred shortly after sunrise, with the solar zenith angle less than 3°. Observation from an airplane over the middle of South Atlantic Ocean, near the location of maximum eclipse, could offer a duration of totality of up to 10 minutes with the guarantee of clear weather. However, due to the limitations in the cruising capabilities and the economic cost, a feasible flight plan was to see 5 to 6 minutes of totality on the airplane. 48 people from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Japan and Great Britain boarded a VASP airline DC-10 plane, departing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, flying over the South Atlantic Ocean and returning to Rio de Janeiro. The passengers got off and the captain flew the airplane back to Sao Paulo. Although adjustment in the flying speed had to be made according to the take-off time and wind speed, the pilot flew the airplane into Moon's umbra within 1 second of the predicted time, and the passengers on board successfully saw the total eclipse. Accidentally, one of the ground support personnel did not exit the airplane before takeoff, and she also saw the eclipse. The pilots were also attracted by the eclipse, still watching the moon shadow moving into the distance and forgetting to fly the airplane back return even minutes after the third contact (the end of the total phase). The captain described this as the most unusual flight he ever commanded. VASP airline also provided a Boeing 737 plane to the Rio de Janeiro Planetarium. Planetarium staff, of their astronomy club, local dignitaries, politicians and celebrities were also invited.

Eclipses in 1992

 * An annular solar eclipse on January 4, 1992.
 * A partial lunar eclipse on June 15, 1992.
 * A total solar eclipse on June 30, 1992.
 * A total lunar eclipse on December 9, 1992.
 * A partial solar eclipse on December 24, 1992.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of September 11, 1988
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of April 17, 1996

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of May 19, 1985
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of August 11, 1999

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of June 25, 1983
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of July 5, 2001

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of July 31, 1981
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of May 31, 2003

Solar Saros 146

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of June 20, 1974
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of July 11, 2010

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of July 20, 1963
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of June 10, 2021

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of August 30, 1905
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of May 1, 2079

Inex series
In the 19th century:
 * Solar saros 140: total solar eclipse of October 29, 1818
 * Solar saros 141: annular solar eclipse of October 9, 1847
 * Solar saros 142: total solar eclipse of September 17, 1876

In the 22nd century:
 * Solar saros 150: partial solar eclipse of April 11, 2108
 * Solar saros 151: annular solar eclipse of March 21, 2137
 * Solar saros 152: total solar eclipse of March 2, 2166
 * Solar saros 153: annular solar eclipse February 10, 2195