Australia Day 09 Annular eclipse

[AstroTourist]

I am heading out to Cocos Islands for the 26 Jan 09 Annular eclipse (and some great diving).
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~jander/ase2009/index.htm

Wonder if anyone else is crazy enough to be going? Or to Indonesia?
Of course you can just stay home, it will be partial from most of OZ
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2009-Tab02.pdf
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2009-Fig01.pdf

Terry

[Wavytone]

Did Bailey's beads observations at annular eclipses in '81 and '91. There isn't much point going to an annular - Dave Herald's Bailey's beads experiment is long since done and dusted now, and there is little else of value to be gathered at an annular eclipse. Even just for the spectacle it's not that great.

I'm saving up to go to China for the total eclipse with the family, later in 09.

[iceman]

Sydney gets a very very minor partial, but Perth and Darwin get reasonable partial's.

Good luck Terry, taking some pics?

[AstroTourist]

"There isn't much point going to an annular.... Even just for the spectacle it's not that great..."
This will be my third annular. They are a great event in their own way. Of course they are no visual comparison to a TSE, but any eclipse is a great excuse to go places, and I always wanted to see Cocos & Christmas. Could think of much worse places to spend a week or two relaxing on tropical islands with some great diving and an eclipse thrown in, and I am hoping for some REALLY dark skies down to a flat horizon for an imaging project I have had in mind for some time.

Thanks for the good luck wishes Mike, I will need that to keep the clouds and tropical storms away. And yes, I will give the camera a workout for the eclipse. An annular presents some unusual imaging opportunities. I have some scenic shots in mind, as well as I would like to have a go at trying to capture a smidgin of corona or possibly any prominences at C2 and C3 using a filter to cover only a part of the image sensor. A really tough ask for an eclipse of this magnitude. It has been done previously but as far as I know only for nearly total annulars. But it is something I will approach with a great deal of care (if at all) given the precautions necessary and potential risks to camera and eyesight involved.

Terry

[iceman]

For more information about the Australia Day annular eclipse and local viewing circumstances in the Southern Hemisphere, check out this article:

Partial Solar Eclipse, Australia Day 2009 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-519-0-0-1-0.html)

[Liz]

That sounds great fun Terry, enjoy the diving and eclipse. Hoping a little partial one in FNQ :)

[Terry B]

Enjoy the eclipse. Great excuse for a holiday.:thumbsup:

[serendipity]

Well, I'm envious Terry....it sounds as though you're going to be having more fun than most of us.....enjoy :D

[AstroTourist]

On Cocos Islands today the weather was reasonably clear for much of the day with some cloudy periods. Weather tomorrow is forecast as morning showers expected to clear later (hopefully in time for the 3:53 PM local time annular eclipse.
Eclipse people are here from US, UK, Germany, Canada, Switzerland. (I am not the only crazy one!)
Today was Australia Day celebrations – see the image for beach cricket under a sunny sky. (Celebrations a day early as tomorrow is one of the days of the twice weekly flights and many of the residents are involved with the operations of the airport.) Fabulous tropical atoll, gorgeous beaches, crystal clear water, waving palm trees, friendly aussies. All we ask for is some clear skies for tomorrow. Wish us luck.

Terry

[iceman]

Wow what an amazing spot! I hope the skies are clear!

[AstroTourist]

Cloudy on Cocos most of the day today.
It was raining at the time of annularity.
No one on the island saw any part of the eclipse.
So sorry, no pics.
Just have to enjoy being on Cocos for the rest of the week

Terry

[iceman]

ah that's a shame, Terry. Enjoy the holiday instead!

[The FishMan]

Did anybody anywhere take a photo? I saw a very, very small partial eclipse but it was too awkard to photograph.

[iceman]

There's a few partial eclipse shots in the Solar System forum:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12