Annular Solar Eclipse–14 October 2023

It may not have been a total eclipse but the annular eclipse was still wonderful to experience.

Sequence of images of the entire eclipse from C1 through C4, including the annularity or "Ring of Fire." The images are not evenly spaced in time but instead concentrate on the few moments before, during, and after the annularity of the eclipse. Beginning of the eclipse is at lower left; the end is at upper right. [Nikon D750] — Sequence of images of the eclipse from C1 through C4, including the annularity or “Ring of Fire.” The images are not evenly spaced in time but instead concentrate on the few moments before, during, and after the annularity of the eclipse. Beginning of the eclipse at lower left; the end at upper right.

We were close to the center line in the small town of Fillmore, Utah. Before the sun even rose that morning we drove the few blocks from our hotel to Fillmore City Park and set up gear and chairs on the grassy field along with many others. Then it was time to wait and chat with all the other people.

I shot the eclipse with three cameras. My main rig was a Nikon D750 with the Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E lens set to 500mm. The camera and lens was attached to an iOptron SkyTracker so that the camera would follow the Sun without my having to make adjustments. A Kendrick Astro Solar Filter covered the front of the lens. I shot a sequence with 5-minute intervals until a few minutes before and after annularity; during this most interesting part of the eclipse I shot using 3-second intervals.

The secondary setup was with a Sony RX10 set to 35mm focal length and 1-minute sequences from beginning to near the end. The battery failed late in the session and after replacing it the focus was slightly off (operator error!).

And the third camera was an Apple iPhone SE3 which I used to shoot scenes around us in the park.

This is a burst of images at 3-second intervals just before and after C2 (second contact)--the start of annularity or the "Ring of Fire." Note the irregularity of the shadow which is a result of mountains and valleys on the surface of the Moon. [Nikon D750] — This is a burst of images at 3-second intervals just before and after C2 (second contact)–the start of annularity or the “Ring of Fire.” Note the irregularity of the shadow which is a result of mountains and valleys on the surface of the Moon.

Sequence of images at 1-minute intervals of the eclipse. [Sony RX10]

There were some ooh’s and aah’s as the eclipse started (C1–first contact). But when C2 occurred (second contact) there was cheering and applause. The end of annularity (C3–third contact) brought another round of cheering and applause. There was little crowd response at C4 (fourth contact–end of eclipse) since most folks had already left. The only folks still there were those dedicated to capturing a sequence of the entirety of the eclipse.

Crescent-shaped light and shadow during the partial phase of the eclipse.

Panorama of City Park in Fillmore, Utah, during maximum annularity.

Photo of my main rig with the telephoto lens and camera mounted on the iOptron SkyTracker.

Crowds and traffic had lessened considerably by the time we left and we drove back to Flagstaff with a stop for an early dinner in Kanab, Utah.

Path of the Annular Eclipse across Utah.

But, wait! There’s more.

The day before the eclipse we were able to see a spectacular halo as were were driving through Utah. At various times we saw the 22° halo (the most common halo), supralateral arc, parhelia (also known as “sun dogs”), parhelic arc, upper tangent arc, and circumzenithal arc.

Panorama showing the multiple halos and arcs visible in the sky [Sony RX10; 3 vertical panos stitched]

Panorama showing the multiple halos and arcs visible in the sky [Apple iPhone SE3; 3 vertical panos stitched]

Almost as impressive as the eclipse!

Credits

The eclipse map was provided by Xavier Jubier.
Photo techniques and suggestions were provided by Alan Dyer in his e-book How to Photograph the Solar Eclipses.