Here is a sampling of the scenes from my first total solar eclipse experience in Oranjestad, Aruba, on 26 February 1998. I hope it provides a sense of what the eclipse experience was all about.
Click for larger versionEarly morning on 26 Feb 98 in Oranjestad, Aruba
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerE-day did not start out promising, causing some to make the wise decision to stay on the Fascination in hope of clear skies.
Click for larger versionWaterfront viewing site for the AL
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerWaterfront viewing site for the AL as viewed from deck of the Fascination.
Click for larger versionThe Fascination docked in Oranjestad
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe Fascination docked in Oranjestad on E-day morning to drop off those wanting to see the eclipse from Aruba. It then sailed for the centerline and returned later that evening.
Click for larger versionEclipse chasers set up at the AL site
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe weather did improve to mostly clear skies by 9 am at the AL viewing site in Oranjestad.
Click for larger versionMore eclipse chasers set up at the AL site
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe eclipse enthusiasts set up their equipment. The area marked with tape was Fred Espenak's elaborate set up.
Click for larger versionDoug gets set up
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerDoug gets his equipment ready during early morning sunshine.
Click for larger versionEric in front of the Fascination
©1998 Photo by Doug HolmesEric is in front of the Fascination at the AL site as it sails out to the centerline.
Click for larger versionEric gets his camera ready
©1998 Photo by Doug HolmesEric gets his 35mm camera ready for the eclipse. The moon's shadow approached the AL site from the southwest horizon, seen here.
Click for larger versionKen Willcox readies for the eclipse
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerOur eclipse trip director Ken Willcox sets up his impressive equipment at the AL site.
Click for larger versionClouds move in during partial phases
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerWith filters on, some view the partial phases leading to totality while others hope for the clouds to move out
Click for larger versionClouds move in
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerWorried eclipse chasers watch the clouds move in.
Click for larger versionMore clouds move in
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe eclipse enthusiasts try to watch the partial phases through pesky clouds.
Click for larger versionAruba TV reports at AL site
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe local Aruba television station reports on the eclipse from the AL site, interviewing eclipse chaser Olivier Staiger who loaded images of the eclipse onto the Internet in near real-time.
Click for larger versionDark clouds move in
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe weather takes a turn for the worse with dark clouds before totality.
Click for larger versionEric among a sea of cameras
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerEric is among a sea of cameras with filters awaiting totality.
Click for larger versionEclipse enthusiasts view the partial phases
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerEclipse enthusiasts grab a view of the partial phases through a break in the clouds leading up to second contact.
Click for larger versionMore viewing the partial phases
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerPeriodic breaks in the clouds leading up to second contact allowed us to watch the eclipse progress. All hoped the clouds would move out!
Click for larger versionFred and others watch the partial phases
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerFred Espanek and others watch the partial phases.
Click for larger versionReally dark clouds!
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThese were probably the darkest clouds we saw--they really dampened even the most optimistic spirits.
Click for larger versionPartially eclipsed sun
©1998 Video by Eric PauerThis image was captured by my Sony 8 mm camcorder through a Thousand Oaks ND-5 Solar Filter about 30 minutes before second contact. The time was reset using WWV via shortwave shortly before the eclipse.
Click for larger versionClouds act as a filter
©1998 Video by Eric PauerOne interesting effect of the clouds during the partial phases was that they sometimes caused an interesting filtering effect on the partially eclipsed sun. This is an image captured by my Sony 8 mm camcorder without a solar filter. Remember you must NOT view the partial phases directly with your eyes without proper filtering!
Click for larger versionDeep partial phase of the eclipse
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe moon covers most of the sun before second contact (shot with Thousand Oaks ND-5 solar filter).
Click for larger versionSolar corona during totality
©1998 Video by Eric PauerThe solar corona was captured by my Sony 8 mm camcorder about 1 minute after second contact.
Click for larger versionDiamond ring at third contact
©1998 Video by Eric PauerThe emergence of the second diamond ring at third contact signals the end of the total solar eclipse, as captured by my Sony 8 mm camcorder.
Click for larger versionPartial phase of the eclipse
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerThe bite from the moon into the sun is still very evident before fourth contact (shot with Thousand Oaks ND-5 solar filter).
Click for larger versionColander shows crescent suns
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerA colander shows many tiny partially eclipsed suns after totality.
Click for larger versionNancy and Doug after the eclipse
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerNancy and Doug are quite relieved after clouds moved out in time to witness the total solar eclipse in Aruba.
Click for larger versionDress shows eclipsed suns
©1998 Photo by Eric PauerNancy uses her dress to create many tiny eclipsed suns.
Click for larger versionEric after the eclipse
©1998 Photo by Doug HolmesEric relaxes in Oranjestad after seeing his first totality.
Click for larger versionHappy eclipse chasers celebrate
Photographer unknown!Our table of ten eclipse chasers and our waiter Wilson celebrate a successful eclipse viewed from both Aruba and the Fascination.
Click for larger versionEric relaxing on the Fascination
©1998 Photo by Doug HolmesDecked in a souvenir eclipse hat and shirt, Eric relaxes on the Fascination, the day after the total solar eclipse in Aruba.
Page last modified on July 8, 1998