Eclipse 2024
On April 8, 2024, the Moon's shadow swept across Mexico and the United States, offering millions of people the opportunity to witness first-hand one of the most extraordinary spectacles in nature, a total solar eclipse. A total eclipse is not just visually unique; it is also an emotional and sometimes spiritual experience that has inspired at times fear, awe, and reverence over the millenia.
In these images, I have chronicled the four minutes of totality that I observed in Waxahachie, Texas. I have also included a couple of video animations: (1) a slide show of the images of the 2024 eclipse, and (2) a comparison of the 2024 eclipse to the last eclipse to cross the US in 2017. I hope that these photos convey in some small measure how it feels to witness the beauty and power of our sun and the connection of our planet to it.
1. Onset
While we prayed for perfectly clear skies, a thin layer of clouds actually lent extra color and atmosphere to the diamond ring effect at the outset of totality. Bright red prominences, jets of plasma rising from the surface of the Sun, were clearly visible to the naked eye.
2. Clouds
Thin clouds persisted into the first minute of totality, combining with the corona to form a shifting halo of light. The net effect was in some ways a more dynamic display than the unobstructed view that soon followed.
3. Corona
As the last of the clouds dissipated, the corona shone in all its glory. Extending far out into space, its lacey structure ringed the jet black moon, giving the impression of a hole punched in the sky.
4. Transition
With totality coming to an end, the first bead of returning sunlight burst forth between mountain peaks on the surface of the Moon. This so-called Baily's Bead shared the stage with the corona and a number of massive prominences, each several times the size of Earth.
5. Finale
The diamond ring effect returned to mark the end of totality and was accompanied by several brilliant prominences.
Slide Shows
The Totality of Totality
Witness totality from start to finish in this animated slide show, featuring the wispy corona, massive prominences, and brilliant diamond rings.
Comparing the 2017 and 2024 Eclipses
The corona of a total solar eclipse is unique, like a fingerprint. This animation morphs slowly between images of the 2017 and 2024 eclipses, showing that the shape, detail and color of the two coronas are quite distinctive.