We were deeply impressed by the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, which led us to start planning for the 2024 eclipse right away. Mexico and Texas emerged as the best locations, according to various discussion forums of amateur astronomers and “eclipse chasers.” We had decided to view the eclipse from Dallas, Texas.
However, celestial events, much like life itself, have a way of surprising us. A mere week before the eclipse, our carefully laid plans underwent a dramatic shift. We decided to go to Carbondale, IL, for our observation efforts. The details of this last-minute change serve as a captivating subplot to our eclipse saga.
The cosmic spectacle that awaited us during those precious moments of totality cannot be captured in the photographs. Sometimes, photographs can reveal what we cannot see through visual observations. Here are some pictures we took during the eclipse.
Picture 1 (Featured image): As the moon delicately obscured the sun, a breathtaking scene unfolded before our eyes. The ethereal corona, a shimmering halo of light, danced around the moon’s silhouette, casting an otherworldly glow upon the earth below. During the 4 minutes and 9 seconds of totality, our lenses captured this celestial ballet, immortalizing the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. Notice the star Zeta Pisces at the top-right of the picture. The celestial giants, Jupiter and Venus, were glowing in the daytime sky throughout totality, lending their majestic presence to the cosmic spectacle.
Picture 2 (Baily’s beads): Nature’s light show, Baily’s beads, dazzled us with their ephemeral brilliance. Positioned on the narrow strip (even narrower with the path of totality), we marveled at the Triple-Baily beads, captured in stunning detail in this photograph.
Picture 3 (Prominences): Zooming in on the sun’s fiery surface, we were treated to a mesmerizing display of solar prominences. These majestic tendrils of solar plasma, captured here at the 9 o’clock mark, were so striking that they could be observed with the naked eye during totality.
Picture 4 (Diamond Ring): A celestial spectacle wouldn’t be complete without its iconic moments. The Diamond Ring effect, a fleeting glimpse of sunlight bursting through the lunar valleys just before totality’s end, never fails to elicit cheers from eclipse watchers. This photograph was taken at the precise moment of contact point C3.
Picture 5 (Jackson County Country Club): We chose the Jackson County Country Club as our vantage point for this cosmic spectacle. While the photograph may not fully convey the grandeur of our surroundings, the memories we forged there are indelibly etched in our minds. Special thanks to the owner, Eli, whose assistance and hospitality ensured a seamless telescope setup, allowing us to witness the eclipse in all its splendor.
Overall, we had a memorable experience. Onwards to 2027? 2028?
(The blog will be updated with additional details soon)
Equipment used: FSQ106EDX telescope with Baader AstroSolar Filter. ZWO AM5 mount (Solar tracked). Image captures were done with Eclipse Orchestrator Pro. Images were processed with Adobe Photoshop.
