Annular Solar Eclipse May 20 2012

 

We had a rare annular solar eclipse. What exactly does that mean? Well it is also called the Ring Of Fire eclipse. Basically the moon is further away than normal so instead of a full covering where you can seen the corona, you get to see a ring around the moon. Pretty cool right? Unfortunately, Salt Lake was a little north of the prime viewing point, so we didn’t get the ring of fire, but it was still fascinating.

Now everybody knows that staring at the sun, can damage your eyes, and it’s probably not good on your camera to photograph it directly either. Luckily we stopped by the local planetarium and picked up solar filters that make it safe to look at the sun.

I took one of my lens filters and fastened a sleeve to it so I could slide the solar filter out in order to use to look at the eclipse, and then slide it back in to take pictures of the eclipse. I was rather pleased with how it turned out.

Now onto what I caught.

The beginning. The first thing you probably noticed is how it looks like night time. The filter blocked everything but the sun out. In fact I read that if you can see anything but the sun, you are damaging your eyes.

Starting to look like Pacman!

 

I think this is about the peak, and the most covered it got. Like I said we were not in the prime zone, so not a ring of fire, we got more of a crescent of fire.  Still REALLY cool.

Here is a quick crop of that last shot.

I had amazing luck and had a pretty clear view throughout the entire peak of the event. But after this a large bank of clouds came in and looked like it was going to be a while until it passed, so I didn’t get anything else. But I am not complaining.

Really spectacular event. I am so glad I not only got to witness it, but capture it as well.

In just a few short weeks (June 5th to be precise) we have another fantastic astronomical event coming: The Transit Of Venus! Venus will be directly between us and the sun so we should be able to see it’s small dot crossing the sun. So I should get at least one more use of my filter, and filter rig. If I get anything worth sharing, I will.

Arches 2012 Day 3: Dead Horse Point State Park, Thistle, and the drive home.

 

To see day 1 and 2.1 Drive Down and The South End of Arches Click Here

To See day 2.2 The North End of Arches Click Here.

Now on to Day 3.

Before heading to Dead Horse point, and eventually home we decided to check out the Colorado River Canyon. We went up the first night, but there isn’t lot you can see by headlight. All of these will be DBP Shots.

Colorado River

I like the checkerboard look here.

This canyon is kind of scary with the steep cliffs on either side. Although on the plus side, you aren’t very high most of the time. We drove up to the road for Castle Valley, looked at the map, and decided against going up to it. We then considered going to Fisher Towers, but ultimately decided to just get to Dead Horse Point so we can explore it properly.

Dead Horse Point is only 23 miles off the main highway, and is a rather pretty little drive.

Big Mesa

We arrived! Here is the first view into the canyon below and the mineral ponds. The Mineral Ponds, as the sign explains is a private company mining for minerals by using evaporation ponds. They dye the water blue to help evaporate quicker. Very striking against the red desert.

The cacti are blooming!

And finally Dead Horse Point itself. I am still a little confused as to whether you are looking at dead horse point, or are standing on it. I originally believed it was what you are looking at, but after reading the pamphlet and the various signs, I now believe it is what you are standing on. Either way, it is an amazing view.

Cool looking mountain.

Neat little hoodoos

After this we stopped by the picnic area just down from the lookout.

We had some cute little guys hanging around begging for food. They actually came in pretty close.

Road back.

Another view point.

Panoramic.

Flowers

And the bottom of the canyon, back to the main highway.

Cool old school house.

The back end of Arches. I wonder why they haven’t paved a road to access the park from this end.

Strange sculpture near Green River.

Old abandoned train.

dried wash.

Helper, Ut.

Not the best shot, but I did get what I wanted, the old gas pumps.

Towards the end, or I guess from where we live, the beginning of Spanish Fork Canyon lies what remains of the town of Thistle.

This was going to be the newest major railroad hub. Unfortunately during the epic storm of 1983, a giant slab of mountain came down and cut off the river, giving the town only hours notice that they were about to be flooded.

Abandoned cars.

After tromping around in this meadow for a while, I stepped and out come a giant snake and who knows what else. Suddenly I was not okay being in this meadow.

The windmills at the bottom of the canyon.

And back to Salt Lake. YAY Home! hehe. I took this picture to capture the rare glimpse of our mountains between snow, and when they turn brown.

And that would conclude my spring vacation. Wonderful time.