The Solar Tiki Eclipse

[Kahikina]

Inspired by @Johnny Tsunami

Have a great eclipse everyone!

 

[Tangaroa]

I enjoyed watching while sipping on a jungle bird. very cool.

 

[Johnny Tsunami]

It was a great day here at The Rapa Nui Ranch for Tikiclipse 2024. Fired up the smoker and made a Bacon Bomb, some Potato Bombs, and some Corn Ribs while the moon strolled by. Washed it down with some of our signature cocktail, The Iguanacolata, and the answer is YES, it did get dark enough to awaken the tiki gods as their green eyes lit up and burned for almost 4 minutes.
We sprang into action and sacrificed a bottle of Appleton Estate to appease the angered deities, and the sunlight was graciously returned to us. For now, Pele sleeps.

 

[Lagoon of Mystery]

The total eclipse turned out to mostly be a bust for us. Our planned observing location outside of Comfort, TX, looked to be completely overcast all day, so The WIfe and I headed west and eventually set up at a picnic area outside of Ingram, where the forecast indicated partly cloudy skies through the afternoon. We got some good views as the eclipse began, but maybe 5 minutes before totality heavy clouds rolled in. And stayed. As soon as totality began it got dark. And stayed dark. Then Lisa, who has better eyes than me, said "Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!" The clouds broke for maybe three seconds before closing up again. I fired off a dozen shots, hoping for something, anything. We waited in vain for another opening, but that was it. Even after the skies began brightening up again the clouds just thickened. Out of the desperate shots I fired off during totality, this is the best of the lot. I managed to capture some solar prominences but the clouds were just too aggressive for more of the gossamer corona. Is it disappointing? Sure, especially seeing some of the amazing photos coming out of other parts of the country. That said, I feel much worse for the folks who traveled from around the world to see this only to have the weather play spoiler. And this was my first total eclipse. Even the brief glimpse I got was far, far more impressive than I'd expected. It's easy to understand why primitive peoples of the past (and present) think it signified the end of the world or something to that effect. I hope I'll have better luck when the next one rolls around in a couple decades.

Camera: H-a modified Canon T3i
ISO: 100
Shutter Speed: 1/400
Lens: Meade 645 f/5 Newtonian (762mm)

 

[Kahikina]

Glad you got to see something! The pic is awesome! I tried taking one using my cell phone and pointing through the cardboard glasses, turned out mediocre. (what I expected)

Something to tell your grandkids about.