Yes, today’s annular eclipse in Colorado was likely cool to see. But back in 2017 there was a partial eclipse that brought 92% totality to Denver. “Wowie zowie,” as a young Tom Clancy would have said. And I was prepared to be appropriately impressed. But this is how Denver looked at 92% totality:
Meh. I was so disappointed in 2017. I wasn’t outside with special glasses, but I had expected so much more. Like, almost dark. 92% dark. As you can see above, that’s obviously not how sunlight works.
So, today. An annular eclipse. A “ring of fire” eclipse. That’s pretty special. And yes, there was a perfect ring, annularity, visible here in Colorado. But it was down in the Four Corners part of the state. Minor little detail: That’s an 8-hour drive from here. Sure it would have been fun to be there. But not enough fun to get me into the car for 8 hours. And certainly not for a round trip.
So, here in Denver we had only 84% totality. As in 2017, things looked a little “off.” Hard to describe. Very slightly dimmed, and yet the sky seemed no darker. Nor did my thermometer indicate any temperature drop, although that was reported elsewhere.
Also unlike in 2017, the media this time are so focused on national and international news that a mere celestial event garnered virtually no mention. (Except on the Weather Channel, bless ’em.)
“A mere celestial event” – marvellous phrase !! I do like your priorities, Colorado ! 🙂
Well, it seemed like the next step after international/global.
NASA. had some kinda live stream concerning this today…but what to they know. And I agree with MR above…“A mere celestial event,” is super syntactical.
Thx. I just felt it deserved more coverage, and certain other topics, less.
Syntactical or not, I took some mere celestial photos today of the event down here in Phoenix (actually just east of it) and had fun doing it. It was the first time in 40+ years of photography that I had the right equipment and was organized enough to take a series of photos essentially from beginning to end of the whole, partial event. I did notice a dimming of the sun at maximum, though it looked like what I would see with medium to lightly tinted sunglasses! Still kinda strange though — bright, but not bright. Like lightly overcast but with distinct shadows and no haze.
I continue to be amazed by how much light we get, even with the sun 90% obscured. It must have been exciting not only to see the event but to get your own photos of it. Not to mention the fun of being part of the crowd, er, audience that was watching.