Sure, we're all looking forward to the total solar eclipse in April, 2024, but today we got a chance to practice our eclipse viewing techniques when we were treated to an annular solar eclipse, also known as a "Ring of Fire" eclipse. Since portions of the sun remain visible in an annular solar eclipse, it doesn't get too dark out, and you need to use approved filters to view the eclipse. During the total eclipse next year, you will be able to take off your eclipse glasses during "totality" and, apparently, nocturnal animals such as bats can be tricked into thinking it's night when the moon completely covers the sun.
Today's eclipse was visible throughout a large swath of Texas but, for the best experience, we traveled to Louise Hays Park in Kerrville, where NASA was on-scene to broadcast during the eclipse. Louise Hays Park is already gearing up for 2024, as you can tell from the next image.
The eclipse actually starts without a clue. Unless you put on your glasses and looked towards the sun, you wouldn't know it was underway.
Then, little by little, the moon began to cover the sun...
Until all that remained of the sun was a "Ring of Fire..."
Then, the moon continued trailing across the sun and the sky began to brighten...
Louise Hays Park, by the way, is a beautiful park on the Guadalupe River. Here's a few nature shots to finish off this post:
All images are my own taken with my iPhone and a Canon EOS 80D with an 18-55mm kit lens. (Mental note: use a telephoto lens next year.) Settings for the eclipse were ISO 100, f8.0, 1/6400 second, with a few ND filters screwed onto the lens.
Thanks for stopping by to take a look!