In this work we measured light intensity as a function of time during a total solar eclipse using a solar cell. The measured intensity was corrected for the detector response and compared with a mathematical expression that represents the uncovered apparent area of the solar disk as a function of time. By no means, this corrected intensity is linearly related to the uncovered area, this being due to effects such as the solar corona luminosity, the limb darkening and light scattered in the atmosphere. Estimates of the fraction of light that causes this deviation from linearity are given.
solar eclipse; light intensity measurements; calibration; photocell
