ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE
Baja, Mexico (Sea of Cortez)
Photo Atlas/Observations
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This apparition bore some interesting features. The fact that my site was on the eastern shores of Baja, Mexico (as was the case for the '91 eclipse). Further along the path-of-totality, was my hometown in the Midwest.
As was the case for the '92 annular eclipse, the weather played a factor. There were fronts moving in from the west, causing a lot of cloudiness throughout the entire SouthWest. The weather radar seemed to show clear areas in Baja. I drove to the US-Mexican border, keeping my eyes on the sky. Seeing many clouds moving towards the east (figuring El Paso, Texas on the centerline would be risky), I decided to make a run south to Baja. As I crossed the border during the evening, I saw the contrails of a Minuteman missile (launched from Vandenberg AFB) on the western horizon. I had no choice but to drive at night, and pulled over a few times for quick naps. The skies were absolutely clear, so my spirits were up for a successful expedition. The day before I was approaching Bahia de Los Angeles (eastern coast of Baja), and decided to go south. I ventured through the cactus forests, and went east until I ended up at a peaceful cove. There was only a fisherman (see image below), another couple, and myself.
I managed to get myself stuck in the sand, requiring me unload EVERYTHING, and with some help got out @8pm (evening). I setup my equipment -- polar aligning 3 telescope mounts. I was exhausted, and remember nodding off just as I finished. I had only a few hours of sleep, until I woke up before dawn (4:30 am). Boy was I tired.. I made a critical sunrise shot, for my planned multiple exposure image (see below). I remember the "silvery" impression of the landscape, as the sun was increasingly eclipsed towards totality. The photography went well, and I spent post-eclipse doing some landscape photography. The next day, I headed back home, in order to deliver the images. I happened across an accident inovling a semi-truck (see image below), and managed to sprain my ankle in getting photos of it. I crossed the border to San Diego, got my film developed, and my images were sent to my agent in NY for distribution.
Unfortunately, my house was broken into a few days after I arrived home, and my AstroPhysics 4" telescope used to take the eclipse pictures (see image below) & other camera equipment was stolen!! I got a call from Astrophysics, saying someone had inquired about a telescope he had bought for $20. It turned out the thief had sold it to an AMPM gas station owner; he was understanding of my situation & let me buy it back for $20!!
 Click for HI-RES image |
This is 2nd contact, around 8:50 am. Note Bailey's Beads, seen as gaps along the lunar profile (valleys & mountains). See below image for a better view. Taken with an Astrophysics Traveler (4" f6 610mm FL + 2" Barlow + extension tube), with a Baader Planetarium Mylar Filter |
 Click for HI-RES image |
This is mid totality, around 8:55 am. Note the slight off-center position of the moon, since my site was north of the center-line. Taken with an Astrophysics Traveler (4" f6 610mm FL + 2" Barlow + extension tube), with a Baader Planetarium Mylar Filter |
 Click for HI-RES image |
This is 3rdnd contact, around 9:00 am. Note Bailey's Beads, seen as gaps along the lunar profile (valleys & mountains). See below image for a better view. Taken with an Astrophysics Traveler (4" f6 610mm FL + 2" Barlow + extension tube), with a Baader Planetarium Mylar Filter |
 Click for HI-RES image |
This is a closeup of 2nd & 3rd contact. Note the variation along the lunar profile, signifying valleys & mountains on the moon. |
 Click for HI-RES image |
This is a multiple-exposure shot, demonstrating the progression of the morning annular eclipse. The piece of land is on the opposite end of the cove (towards the east). |
 Click for HI-RES image |
This was my main photographic telescope (4" Astrophysics Traveler). Note the solar filter. The bay in the background @low tide receded a good 20 yards, revealing all sorts of rocks. There were these "snapping" sounds, which were the uncovered snails. I had my 1st look at "diving ducks" , i.e. all of a sudden they disappeared, as they dove for fish. |
 Click for HI-RES image |
Early the next morning (after eclipse day), the fisherman was making his rounds in the cove. |
 Click for HI-RES image |
Sunrise over the peninsula (opposite end of the cove). |
 Click for HI-RES image |
I happened across this accident along Hwy 1, involving a semi-trailer truck. The road was being repaired, and a detour was constructed. Apparently, the driver didn't slow down enough, and rolled it. It was here, I sprained my ankle in getting these photographs. Ouch. |