Eclipse over Fairmont, Nebraska

A total solar eclipse is something to behold. I have seen partial solar eclipses and thought highly of them, especially if the foreground had some interesting objects or the sun's surface had sunspots. This was my first visit to the zone of totality. It brought me to Fairmont, Nebraska where about 5,000 other eclipse enthusiasts gathered on Monday, August 21 to view the event.

The morning leading up to the eclipse was filled with clouds from a passing thunderstorm with periods of open blue skies. At totality the sky near the sun was mostly cloud free, which only accented the most wondrous sky event that I have witnessed.

Photos, films and video cannot do the totality event justice because of all the rapidly changing sky conditions, the crowd's reaction, and the grandeur of the what is being witnessed. To see the solar corona develop as the moon completely covers the sun is spectacularly unforgettable.

Do yourself a favor and make plans to see a total solar eclipse in person. For the US, that would be on April 8, 2024. I still have more photos of this event that I will post soon - more of what was happening with the crowds.

Partial Solar Eclipse Seen From Wickiup Hill

October 23, 2014 will be remembered for a spectacular late day solar eclipse around Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The first contact time (the time when the moon initially started its journey across the sun) of roughly 4:33 pm was completely obscured by a thick cloud deck. Later, about 5:15 pm the clouds began to part but did not totally disappear. Acting as a filter, the clouds allowed glimpses of the sun-moon-earth dance.

 

Look closely at the image of the sun. Those two dots near the solar disc center are actually solar sunspots, extremely large solar storms often larger than the earth. The cloud deck not only acted as a natural filter but also added a dramatic effect to these images.



Finally near 6:02 pm the sun neared the western horizon and shone through a thick atmosphere, turning visibly redder. These scenes were taken from the nature area called Wickiup Hill located north of Cedar Rapids, near the Cedar River.

This is My Fence Post

During Sunday's annular eclipse this redwing blackbird claimed her territory near a corn field southwest of Alburnett, Iowa. The bird did not do anything out of the ordinary as some reports claim of animals during an eclipse. While hunting for a location to observe the sun-moon transit the day before I observed similar avian behavior of turf defending. Additionally a coating of white stuff testifies that this post must be a popular location. I've made note of this bird activity for the next locally observed eclipse. Know that.

WOW - Annular Solar Eclipse Seen Near Alburnette, Iowa

From 7:45 to 8:24 pm CDT today local sky conditions were optimum for viewing a celestial sight - an annular solar eclipse. Although watching the alignment at the beginning of the transit was quite bright, clouds and a thickening atmosphere made viewing better with each passing moment. The trick is to fine some interesting foreground structures, minimize lens flare and hope for timely passing thin clouds.

The sun and moon set before the transit completely passed. About 70 percent of the sun was blocked during this pass. Your next chance to see another transit of the sun is June 5 when Venus will move across the disk of old Sol. On August 21, 2017 a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in much of North America. Be there for these - and protect your eyes. Know that.