Starship Asterisk*

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 featured 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 more easily visible solar eclipse will occur in about three weeks and be visible from the USA.

<< Previous APOD

This Day in APOD

Next APOD >>

[/b]

A friend of mine, Tora Greve, hitched a ride on a Russian freight plane to get to Antarctica in 2003 to see the eclipse.

Tora is from Norway, but she lives in Malmö, Sweden. She is an amateur astronomer, a textile artist, and the most dedicated solar eclipse chaser you will ever meet. Will she be in the United States in August to watch the eclipse? Oh, you bet your boots she will!

Ann

I remember reading about the eclipse in Antarctica. There was an eclipse tour going down there. It only cost $40,000 per person. There's no way I'll ever have that much disposable income.

But I live right in the path of totality for this one and it'll be the first time I've ever seen a total solar eclipse. I've been looking forward to it for 20 years.

This remains one of my least favorite APODs ever. It is horribly processed, producing a result that looks absolutely nothing like a total solar eclipse. The human eye would never see anything like this.

Chris Peterson wrote:This remains one of my least favorite APODs ever. It is horribly processed, producing a result that looks absolutely nothing like a total solar eclipse. The human eye would never see anything like this.

I agree.

Classic — !

Today's image is somewhat unrealistic, but a lot of FUN! I especially like the corona. Can't wait until August 21st! I'm so thankful that I don't have to spend $40,000 to see it. It's going to be my once-in-a-lifetime eclipse!

KI am ready with a 1000mm lens and filter for the Oregon event. The governor there activated the National Guard to keep wild kids like me in line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktAzYh2QHo8

ta152h0 wrote:KI am ready with a 1000mm lens and filter for the Oregon event. The governor there activated the National Guard to keep wild kids like me in line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktAzYh2QHo8

With what camera? 1000mm is a bit long- you might cut off part of the outer corona.

NIKON D3300

ta152h0 wrote:NIKON D3300

Yeah, you're pushing your luck a bit using a 1000mm lens with an APS sensor. That's only going to give you about one solar radius of room outside the Sun on the short axis. Even with a quiet Sun, the corona is likely to extend farther than that. If you're planning a deep corona shot or some HDR processing, you'd be better off with something around 500mm.

good advice, thank you

Why is the sun just on the horizon? Because the sunrise line on the totality track just grazed the coast of Antarctica due south of South Africa. The most accessible part of the eclipse path was just after sunrise on the coast.

By the way, any time APOD publishes something about a solar eclipse, it would be nice to supply a link to a detailed map of the eclipse track.

Steven I Dutch wrote:By the way, any time APOD publishes something about a solar eclipse, it would be nice to supply a link to a detailed map of the eclipse track.

The wikipedia page has a map and a nice animation.
There was also a cool view from space for this eclipse, which featured as APOD for Nov. 27, 2003.

Looking more like a moon and less like a licorice turd: