Ring of Fire Eclipse, May 20, 2012

We were so excited about the Ring of Fire, or annular, eclipse! I spent the days leading up to it learning all about it, making home made box and poster viewers and scoping out the best spot for viewing. I should mention that in Salt Lake City we were out of the path to see the ring of fire. The pathway for that went right through Bryce Canyon. The reason it was a ring of fire eclipse is because the moon was at it's farthest distance from us so it didn't cover the sun entirely. A total eclipse happens when the moon is at it's closest position to us. The next nearest total eclipse of the sun will be in Idaho in 2017. We'll be there!

We went to Donner Park, which is just above Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake. The upper half of the park gave a perfect view, unobstructed by trees or power lines. And the bonus was the play grounds kept the boys busy after their 30 seconds of interest in the eclipse was used up. This picture was taken in the middle of the eclipse. As you can see it doesn't look much darker. You could definitely miss the eclipse if you didn't know it was happening.

Here's a straight picture of the sun. It doesn't look much different.We had a lot of cloud cover. So not only did you have to know it was happening. You had to have the right equipment to see it. 

The best way to see it was through the cheap solar viewers you can get at science museums. Unfortunately the Salt Lake Valley was sold out. But other people who were sharing our primo viewing spot were very generous to share. This picture was taken through the solar viewers. Lame. The camera does not see the way the eye does.

This picture was taken through the viewing hole in our shoe box viewer. Not too bad, actually. You can see how the moon is starting to take a bite out of the sun's profile.

This gentleman and astrologer was really ready. He had a telescope with a solar filter. It was trickey to see through it and it turned the image, but it was very sharp. I prefered seeing through the solar glasses.

Clint took this photo through the telescope with my Android phone! It took a far steadier hand than I have.

More progress.

Even thinner.

This picture shows how every small spot of light took on the shape of the eclipse--that smiley face.

Here's a picture my friend Melissa Seamons took of the same effect.

It was a great evening. We were so lucky to have had such a great view, thanks to our instant friends/fellow geeks!