2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE from ASHTON, IDAHO

 

EXPERIENCING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE -

George and I departed San Diego on Friday August 18^th. We were headed for Aston, Idaho, where our daughter, Klara, used to live. We had planned this journey a couple of years ago as the path of totality went over Ashton. 

Originally we were going to stay in Klara’s home there in Ashton. Well the first of this year saw her moving to Lincoln, Montana, to a new position with the Forest Service there. Klara was able to ask a favor of a very good friend, and we were able to stay with her for the event. And Klara was able to get time off to come down to Ashton to join us. Thank you Liz D.

It is a two day drive to Ashton, and we stopped in Cedar City for the night. We were very close to the hiking and biking trail we have visited for good walks on previous trips to Ashton. This time we did not have to deal with cold and icy conditions as the temperature was lingering in the low 90’s as we started a walk about 1800. It is a nice path with few users, and some nice scenery. The path runs along  Cedar Canyon as does State Rte. 14 that links up with U.S. Rte. 89 that would take you to Bryce Canyon N.P.

We were off early once again on the 19^th so that we could enjoy the afternoon in Ashton. Ashton is the center for seed potato cultivation. The terrain is flat, but as you look East you see the Tetons rising in the distance, and the Southwest tip of Yellowstone is only a few miles away. It is also considered the gateway to Yellowstone N. P. from the West.

We enjoyed our rendezvous with Klara and the nice dinner which she prepared for us. Our hostess, Liz, joined us for dessert.

Sunday we went out to the forest for a refreshing hike. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the area. 
 

LUPINE

SALSIFY GONE TO SEED

All of the area has been impacted by smoke from the many wildfires burning in Montana and Idaho. It was very difficult to see the Tetons.

Monday – August 21 – ECLIPSE DAY.

This morning we enjoyed breakfast with a couple of Klara’s good friends whom we had met on previous trips to Ashton. I contributed the sourdough starter for the pancakes, and Klara had been quite busy the past week picking huckleberries. To say the least we all enjoyed breakfast. Afterwards we headed out to the farm road next to Liz’s house to set up for the eclipse. 

OUR "CROWD"

We were all equipped with solar viewing glasses, sunscreen, and hats.

TAKING A LOOK

I think all had some form of a camera with them,The  be it a smart phone, or in my case two digital cameras, tripod, solar filters, and other paraphernalia. 

  

The first contact of the moon shadow on the Sun occurred about 1016. My first picture was taken at 1038! Using a long zoom lens, I took pictures every 3-5 minutes, bracketing the exposures.

 

10:38 A.M.

Originally I was going to take photographs with two different cameras, but decided I wanted to enjoy the experience and so only focused on getting individual shots of the progression of the eclipse. I am glad that I did.

As the eclipse progressed you could see the change in light as the sun was covered by the moon as it passed between the earth and the sun. We progressed from full sunlight to night in a matter of 80 minutes.

 

KLARA DEMONSTRATING ANOTHER WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE ECLIPSE

As the eclipse progressed the light became subdued, and the tonality of the light changed to a cooler(bluish) cast.    

 

11:04 (about 30 mins. to totality)

When we got very close to Totality you could see the moon’s shadow racing across the landscape from West to East at about one and a half times the speed of sound.

THE SHADOW APPROACHING

 It was quite eerie. During totality the temperature dropped 10˚. All became quiet, birds and animals. We whooped it up as did others around town as the corona shone, and the diamond ring was seen. Regrettably it lasted only one minute and 35 seconds at our location.

TOTALITY

DIAMOND RING AND SOLAR PROMINENCES

DIAMOND RING WITH MORE DETAIL

A solar prominence is a large, bright, gaseous feature extending outward from the Sun's surface, often in a loop shape. Prominences are anchored to the Sun's surface in the photosphere, and extend outwards into the Sun's corona.

TOTALITY PLUS 2 MINUTES

9 MINUTES AFTER TOTALITY

It was a beautiful experience and most memorable. Regrettably it lasted only one minute and 35 seconds at our location.  

Are we hooked to chase after the Total Solar Eclipse in 2024! Maybe. Our other daughter, Tina, lives outside Toledo, Ohio, which is on the edge of the path of totality for that eclipse.

SUN SPOTS VISIBLE ON SUN