53 years ago, a solar eclipse was observed from the supersonic aircraft Concorde 001, flying over West Africa, with a record duration of totality, never surpassed since: 74 minutes. This adventure, of which I was one of the actors, is recounted in this book, as well as its actuality today.
I gave a conference in Toulouse, at the invitation of the Air and Space Academy, on February 24, 2026, to tell this story. Websites of Xavier Jubier or that of the Société astronomique de France will help you to observe the August 12th eclipse in the best conditions.
On August 12, at the Abbadia Castel (Hendaye) near the Spanish border, the eclipse shall be nearly total (99,3% of the Sun hidden by the Moon) and the Académie des sciences, collaborating with the Société d’amateurs d’astronomie du Pays basque (SAAPB) will welcome the public, with talks and presentations ( I will give one myself), animations, measurement of the temperature drop when the shadow flies by…
