Wirraminna Eclipse Sth Australia 2002 video

[gary]

Stumbled across this 7 minute YouTube video shot at Wirraminna, South Australia,
which is located approx. 40km north of Woomera, during the 2002 total solar eclipse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1xDOHzDXds

Andrew Murrell (aka Hector) makes a cameo at the 39 second mark and Andrew's
wife Miriam is seen with mylar glasses taking it in. Whilst Andrew talks, I could
make out yours truly setting up in the background.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky, so we knew we had it in the bag. It was a funny
site to see all these cars gathered on the side of the Stuart Highway. Tony Buckley
tells the story of speaking to a car load of tourists from Japan who stopped and
asked why all the cars and people were gathered there. Tony explained that in a few
minutes time, the Moon would be passing in front of the Sun and there would
be a total eclipse at this very spot. The people in the car thanked him and then
drove off! Something must have got lost in translation. :confused2:

Anyway, stumbling across this video brings back some fond memories of the
event and for the many others that were also there, hopefully it will be a chance
to reminisce as well. See you all in Cairns, Nov 2012.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai NSW Australia

[Astroman]

WOW that brings back some fond memories. Thanks for sharing.

[RB]

Thank you so much for posting that Gary, brings back lots of memories.
At the time I was just getting back into astronomy and was very excited at seeing the eclipse, alas from my place it was only a 'partial' eclipse.

I remember we had bad bushfires in the area and I raced down to the back of my property, climbed one of my grain silos so I could clear the burning tree line and take a photo with my little Sony PS while holding onto dear life with my other hand. :scared:

Great to see Andrew Murrell in that clip, he hasn't changed a bit ! :whistle: :lol:

Cheers

[xstream]

Thanks for the clip Gary.
Everyone is certainly looking a lot more mature today, Murrell included! :lol:

[h0ughy]

that was great to watch - thanks

[gary]

Thanks guys!

Good to hear from you all and hope that collectively you are enjoying
your weekends.

Great to hear it brought back some memories for you all too.
It was only by chance I stumbled across it whilst Googling as I had never
seen in before.

What is perhaps a bizarre insight into the waste of neurons that goes on inside
the human brain, when I watched the video I could even remember those
pants Andrew had on at the time. :lol:

That night, like many others, we camped alongside the railroad track.
We observed through Andrew's 20" Dob, Hector and what a night! The skies
were fantastic!



Andrew C. -

That was close!

The morning after the eclipse, we decided we would drive to Cooper Pedy and spend a couple
of days there. We were refueling the vehicles at a petrol station just north
of Wirraminna when ABC National Radio came on with the morning news.
The very lead story was that "Bushfires have broken out in the Sydney area"
and in the same breath the commentator said, "Residents of Mount Kuring-Gai
should prepare their homes immediately". :eyepop:

With a two day drive back to Mount Kuring-Gai, the concern was that we would
not be back in time to prepare for the fire. However, we made a quick call to a
close friend, who we originally met at ASNSW, and he came and prepared the
property for us, took time off work and away from his family and baby-sited the
place for us. As we drove back he was able to re-assure us that the property was
not under direct threat. What a fantastic mate he is! :thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Hi Gary

Excellent viewing - many thanks for posting this.

Cheers Petra d.

[hector]

Hello All

Only just noticed this post, Gary told me about the video on youtube and its very strange.
I DO NOT remember doing that interview.
The first time I saw it my mind didn't gel as I had no recolection of doing it. It was only later that I start to recal it Now i wonder if my memory has only kicked in because my eyes tell me it must have happened.
It remains one of my ALL TIME best memories and the entire week as wonderful. Even the mad drive home due to the fire as amazing. Broken Hill to Umina in 11 hours.
Thanks Andrew (RB) for the wonderful compliment. ( I have gone Grey) Oh and those pants....I think I still have them somewhere.

[iceman]

Great video, I didn't see this thread the first time around!

Andrew definitely does look younger, gee it must've been a while ago ;)

Can't wait for Cairns!