May 19 - May 21, 2012 Annular Solar Eclipse Trip Reno,NV
May 19 to May 21 we flew to Reno Nevada to view an annular eclipse. This area was along the path of the centerline of the annular eclipse. We had never been to this part of the country so it seemed like a good place to view from. Also the weather was likely to be clear as it is a very dry desert-like place. We arrived the day before so we could scout locations for viewing.
We decided we would make our headquarters at Fernley, NV and work outward from there. We stayed at the Best Western in Fernley. Originally we thought about going to Pyramid Lake which seemed like a very scenic area to photograph from. So we drove up there first.
Here is a view of the area around Pyramid Lake. It was very scenic, but there was a large new age music festival (Symbiosis Festival) being held in conjunction with the eclipse (100,000 people expected) so we decided to find another area.
*-*-*
A pretty view on our drive to Fernley.
*-*-*
Another area along the path of totality was outside of Fallon, NV. So we drove along the main road until we found a side road that might afford a place to park and set up. We found several locations which we didn't like for one reason or another until we found a dirt road that appeared to lead off into the desert. We went down it a few miles and had a beautiful view to the west and open land to some mountains in the distance. The road itself aligned almost exactly along the centerline of the eclipse path. Perfect!
We set up to get the telescope polar aligned for the next day's viewing so it would track properly. Then we marked the location of the legs and placed a cairn of rocks to mark our spot so we could find it again.
Waiting for darkness to polar align we got some beautiful sunset photos. Once we polar aligned we marked the location of the feet of the tripod and then packed up in the dark. That was a challenge!
*-*-*
Here the sky seemed to be on fire. The reds and oranges were so vibrant.
*-*-*
This shows the shades of purples and blues as the sun slipped lower in the sky.
*-*-*
Here is the cairn we built to mark our spot so we could find it again the next day.
*-*-*
On eclipse day We enjoyed some sunshine at a picnic area in our hotel before heading out to the eclipse.
*-*-*
Our hotel in Fernley, NV and a picture of our rental car.
*-*-*
Approaching the turn off to our secret viewing area. We were surprised when we arrived the day of the eclipse at how crowded the area was. There were parts of the road that were bumper to bumper cars. Fortunately our chosen spot was still vacant when we got there.
*-*-*
\
Barry setting up our equipment.
*-*-*
Lori entertained herself taking pictures of the vegetation which was unusual. The orange branches had some impressive spikes on them.
*-*-*
This was a very woody branch with what looked like succulent "leaves."
*-*-*
Barry looking through the scope. Down the road you can see a few of the other cars.
*-*-*
Barry is aligning the telescope. Our Setup - The Orion SkyView Pro Mount, Meade ETX-90 telescope with Solar filter and Canon 10D Camera. The mount parts traveled checked in large Pelican cases labeled Snooper and Beaks. The ETX was in Lori's backpack and Barry had the camera in his carry-on.
*-*-*
A view of the sun through the ETX with solar filter before the start of the eclipse. There are a few sunspots visible.
*-*-*
Near the beginning of the eclipse.
*-*-*
The sun with a sizeable bite taken out!
*-*-*
Speaking of bites, we stopped and got sandwiches on our way out to the site and had a picnic while the eclipse was on-going.
*-*-*
Lori checks out the eclipse with welding goggles.
*-*-*
The maximum obscuration. The moon is too far from the earth to completely block the sun so it leaves a small ring around the periphery called an annulus. If you are on centerline of the eclipse, the annulus is perfectly centered as this is.
*-*-*
Annular Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012 Fallon, NV (click image to see video). This is a time-lapse video with pictures taken at 30 second intervals. Meade ETX with Canon 10D DSLR
*-*-*
Near the end of the eclipse the clouds moved in and the sun got very spooky.
*-*-*
Here is a view of the dusky sky late in the eclipse. We had some clouds but it became cooler and shadowy as the sun was covered.
*-*-*
The sunset following the eclipse.
*-*-*
The next day we flew from Reno back to Atlanta. Here, taking off from the Reno airport there was another plane very close to ours.
