Solar eclipse of May 18, 1901

A total solar eclipse occurred at the Moon's descending node of orbit on Saturday, May 18, 1901,   with a magnitude of 1.068. 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. The path of totality crossed French Madagascar (the part now belonging to Madagascar), Réunion, British Mauritius (now Mauritius), Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and British New Guinea (now belonging to Papua New Guinea).

Observations
The Joint Permanent Eclipse Committee of the Royal Society and Royal Astronomical Society observed the total eclipse in Padang on the west coast of Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. The weather was good after sunrise on May 18, but clouds gradually increased after the start of the eclipse. During the total phase, clouds continued to cover the sun and tended to become thicker, making it increasingly difficult to see the sun through the clouds. A team from Lick Observatory, California also observed it in Padang.

Eclipses in 1901

 * A penumbral lunar eclipse on May 3, 1901.
 * A total solar eclipse on May 18, 1901.
 * A partial lunar eclipse on October 27, 1901.
 * An annular solar eclipse on November 11, 1901.

Metonic

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of July 29, 1897
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of March 6, 1905

Tzolkinex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of April 6, 1894
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of June 28, 1908

Half-Saros

 * Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of May 11, 1892
 * Followed by: Lunar eclipse of May 24, 1910

Tritos

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of June 17, 1890
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of April 17, 1912

Solar Saros 136

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of May 6, 1883
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of May 29, 1919

Inex

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of June 6, 1872
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of April 28, 1930

Triad

 * Preceded by: Solar eclipse of July 17, 1814
 * Followed by: Solar eclipse of March 18, 1988