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A Total Eclipse at the End of the World

Explanation: Would you go to the end of the world to see a total eclipse of the Sun? If you did, would you be surprised to find someone else there already? In 2003, the Sun, the Moon, Antarctica, and two photographers all lined up in Antarctica during an unusual total solar eclipse. Even given the extreme location, a group of enthusiastic eclipse chasers ventured near the bottom of the world to experience the surreal momentary disappearance of the Sun behind the Moon. One of the treasures collected was the above picture -- a composite of four separate images digitally combined to realistically simulate how the adaptive human eye saw the eclipse. As the image was taken, both the Moon and the Sun peeked together over an Antarctic ridge. In the sudden darkness, the magnificent corona of the Sun became visible around the Moon. Quite by accident, another photographer was caught in one of the images checking his video camera. Visible to his left are an equipment bag and a collapsible chair. A total solar eclipse will occur on Friday and be visible from the north Atlantic Ocean.

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"Realistically"? I have seen two total eclipses, and they didn't look like that! The moon looked the same brightness as the sky, not blacker than it, so this image looked completely faked as soon a I saw it.

A total solar eclipse will occur on Friday and be visible from the north Atlantic Ocean.

More important in this context, the total eclipse this friday will be observable from the north pole, as the sun slides along the horizon.

Guest wrote:"Realistically"? I have seen two total eclipses, and they didn't look like that! The moon looked the same brightness as the sky, not blacker than it, so this image looked completely faked as soon a I saw it.

For an explanation of how this composite image was created, please see:
http://www.moonglow.net/eclipse/2003nov ... photo.html .
BTW one can find this link from following links in the APOD text.

- RJN

Love the collapsible chair link.

RJN wrote:

Guest wrote:"Realistically"? I have seen two total eclipses, and they didn't look like that! The moon looked the same brightness as the sky, not blacker than it, so this image looked completely faked as soon a I saw it.

For an explanation of how this composite image was created, please see:
http://www.moonglow.net/eclipse/2003nov ... photo.html .
BTW one can find this link from following links in the APOD text.

I think Guest's criticism is still valid. The ground and solar corona may be more accurately represented by the dynamic range processing but the darkness of the moon in contrast to the lightness of the sky is simply not realistic.

geckzilla wrote:

RJN wrote:

Guest wrote:"Realistically"? I have seen two total eclipses, and they didn't look like that! The moon looked the same brightness as the sky, not blacker than it, so this image looked completely faked as soon a I saw it.

For an explanation of how this composite image was created, please see:
http://www.moonglow.net/eclipse/2003nov ... photo.html .
BTW one can find this link from following links in the APOD text.

I think Guest's criticism is still valid. The ground and solar corona may be more accurately represented by the dynamic range processing but the darkness of the moon in contrast to the lightness of the sky is simply not realistic.

Agreed. The image is completely inaccurate. You could argue that some people might see an optical illusion making the Moon appear darker than the background sky, but not only would this illusion only apply to some people (I've seen several eclipses and never had the sense the Moon was darker than the sky), but it would be an illusion that doesn't translate well to an image.

I'm with Guest and zeck and Chris in preferring the un- er less-doctored version. This is more compelling to me: