Solar
Elipse R&R 2024
April 6-9, 2024
Eleven Roadtrekkers,
including three guests, gathered at the Arrowhead Lake campground in
Johnston City, IL on the chance
that the weather would cooperate and allow them to see the totality
phase of the solar eclipse that was to occur on April 8, 2024.
The weather cooperated very nicely; it was sunny with clear
skies and temperature in the 70s. It was perfect weather for
solar
eclipse viewing.
The first "bite" of the eclipse occured at about 12:45 PM.
The eclipse became total at 1:59 PM and lasted slightly over four
minutes. The photo shows the eclipse at the end of the total phase and
the start of the final partial phase. The photo was taken just slightly
after what is called the "diamond ring" effect. The brownish ring
surrounding the "diamond" is a lens flare artifact.
During totality, the area was quite dark, the birds stopped singing,
and it became very quiet and noticeably cooler. The sky was very dark
and a planet, probably Jupiter, became visible.
The next solar eclipse in the lower 48 states is not until 2044, so if
you missed this one, it is a long wait till the next one.