Solar Eclipse

1999, 2006, 2017...

A total eclipse of the Sun is one of the greatest spectacles of nature and results from one of the most fortunate coincidences of nature: the Sun's diameter is 400 times that of the Moon, and the Sun's distance from Earth is also 400 times that from the Moon. Both subtend nearly the same angle of about 0.5 degree, so that the Moon's disk can appear just large enough to cover the Sun's disk.

Three times we had the opportunity to watch a total eclipse of the Sun:
On August 11, 1999 the highly anticipated eclipse in Europe was a disappointment for many people because of thick clouds and rain. But not for us! Thin clouds in our area resulted in an amazing sight, and pictures, of the shadow of the Moon, the umbra.
On March 29, 2006, we had clear skies in Turkey during the eclipse. A timelapse still had to be done with Kodachrome slide film!
Clear skies again on August 21, 2017 during the Great American Eclipse. Now we had the opportunity to record the sound and make a beautiful timelapse.



Eclipse 2017

Totallity during the Great American Eclipse.
The star on the right is the planet Venus.