The Total Eclipse of August 11 1999
The solar eclipse of August 11 1999 was the last of the 20th century, and by good fortune passed through the middle of Europe on its way to the Indian subcontinent. By even greater good fortune, the path of totality clipped the south western edge of Cornwall, and provided an opportunity to see what very few of us would be likely to witness again - a total eclipse on the mainland of Britain.
Our excitement at this prospect however was tempered by the realisation that the British weather is not famous for giving clear views. So it proved on the morning of the eclipse that the sky over Cornwall was overcast, and as I set up my camera on the hinterland of Crantock beach in Cornwall it began to drizzle. Nevertheless, I remained optimistic. Having never seen a total eclipse before I was sure something of interest would happen. The sky would surely go dark and the sea gulls would return to the sea in response to the onset of "night". Such things at least, I would see.
The critical time approached and the weather had not improved. I glanced at my watch - any minute now. Another glance westwards, from which direction the shadow of the moon was supposed to be approaching at several hundred miles an hour. Perhaps something of interest might appear from that quarter. Indeed it did, like a hole in sky, a gap in clouds was approaching, moving with a speed that was itself remarkable. I remember my astonishment. We are going to see it!
I have never heard a cry like it - a collective gasp of astonishment from thousands of mouths as we saw the moon slide into place like a pebble finding a hole. Second contact - and the diamond ring! My camera started clicking as I ran through the film, randomly changing the exposure times and apertures around what I thought would be the optimal setting. That way, I hoped, there would be some shots worth preserving.
Midway through totality, I broke away from the camera and stepped back. Turning a full circle I could tell we were at the centre of something special. The ground all around was dark, and the clouded horizon glowed with an orange light. Above the muted glare of the Sun was tinged with red prominences and surrounded by stars, chief amongst which was the planet Venus, clear and bright. Suddenly seagulls flashed by overhead, and headed out to sea!
I continued my photography. Third contact - another diamond ring, less spectacular perhaps, but still impressive. A few seconds later I had to back away from the camera; the light from the thin limb of the sun was already too bright. I mounted my solar filter on the lens and attempted a few more shots, but like a stone rolling back over a grave, the clouds filled the gap and the spectacle vanished.
It rained all afternoon after that!
Here are some of my shots. They are taken from slides, printed on film and then scanned in, so they have lost some detail(!), but they are enough to verify my story. (I particularly hope that they convince the sceptics who insist that the event was clouded out for everybody in Cornwall!) Are they any good? It doesn't matter! They represent a real record of the event, and considering I didn't have an opportunity to practice, they seem all right to me! I'll get it right in 2090, when it comes to England again.
Our excitement at this prospect however was tempered by the realisation that the British weather is not famous for giving clear views. So it proved on the morning of the eclipse that the sky over Cornwall was overcast, and as I set up my camera on the hinterland of Crantock beach in Cornwall it began to drizzle. Nevertheless, I remained optimistic. Having never seen a total eclipse before I was sure something of interest would happen. The sky would surely go dark and the sea gulls would return to the sea in response to the onset of "night". Such things at least, I would see.
The critical time approached and the weather had not improved. I glanced at my watch - any minute now. Another glance westwards, from which direction the shadow of the moon was supposed to be approaching at several hundred miles an hour. Perhaps something of interest might appear from that quarter. Indeed it did, like a hole in sky, a gap in clouds was approaching, moving with a speed that was itself remarkable. I remember my astonishment. We are going to see it!
I have never heard a cry like it - a collective gasp of astonishment from thousands of mouths as we saw the moon slide into place like a pebble finding a hole. Second contact - and the diamond ring! My camera started clicking as I ran through the film, randomly changing the exposure times and apertures around what I thought would be the optimal setting. That way, I hoped, there would be some shots worth preserving.
Midway through totality, I broke away from the camera and stepped back. Turning a full circle I could tell we were at the centre of something special. The ground all around was dark, and the clouded horizon glowed with an orange light. Above the muted glare of the Sun was tinged with red prominences and surrounded by stars, chief amongst which was the planet Venus, clear and bright. Suddenly seagulls flashed by overhead, and headed out to sea!
I continued my photography. Third contact - another diamond ring, less spectacular perhaps, but still impressive. A few seconds later I had to back away from the camera; the light from the thin limb of the sun was already too bright. I mounted my solar filter on the lens and attempted a few more shots, but like a stone rolling back over a grave, the clouds filled the gap and the spectacle vanished.
It rained all afternoon after that!
Here are some of my shots. They are taken from slides, printed on film and then scanned in, so they have lost some detail(!), but they are enough to verify my story. (I particularly hope that they convince the sceptics who insist that the event was clouded out for everybody in Cornwall!) Are they any good? It doesn't matter! They represent a real record of the event, and considering I didn't have an opportunity to practice, they seem all right to me! I'll get it right in 2090, when it comes to England again.