The sun in their eyes: A photographic essay

A solar filter shows the golden sun as it was eclipsed by the moon for viewers in South County on Saturday, Oct. 14. Photo by Paul Martinez

For those who could not make the trek to Saturday’s (Oct. 14) annular eclipse path running from Oregon through Texas, they were treated to a partial solar eclipse locally where about 70 percent of the sun’s disk was obstructed by the moon.

After the moon exited the solar disk, the sun’s appearance in the sky returned to normal. Sunspot groupings are visible. Photo by Paul Martinez

Light levels noticeably dimmed near maximum coverage and roosters crowed in neighbors’ yards. Viewers with telescopes were treated to sunspot groups on the sun’s surface.

Images taken through a safe solar filter with 135mm, 200mm and 300mm camera lenses showed the changing face of the sun as it underwent a partial eclipse by the moon. The spherical shape of the blackened moon placed on top of the spherical sun presented a 3D effect, especially when viewed through a telescope.

 

Photos by Phillip Brents

The partial eclipse had already started by the time clouds and fog began to disperse for local observers.

At 135mm

The first bite … then more

 

At 200mm

At 300mm

The sunlight noticeably dimmed during maximum coverage by the moon.

Telescope, 40x

 

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