On our second day in China we visited one of the ancient gardens in Suzhou. To our delight, a
22 degree halo was visible over the city.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Image by: Henrik & Emma Herranen
The day of the eclipse, 22.7.2009
Early in the morning our team traveling with the Tähdet ja
Avaruus magazine headed south from Suzhou. Our goal was to find even a small hole in the
othewise depressingly tight cloud cover. We stopped at a gasoline station after the long Hanzhou
bay bridge.
Image by: Henrik Herranen
At 07:13
the field next to the gasoline station was already taken by a
Travel Quest
team of fellow eclipse chasers.
In China everything is bigger...even the bugs in the field close by.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Image by: Emma Herranen
This was the most promising observation weather of the day. At least the sun was visible...barely.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D & EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Image by: Emma Herranen
According to an old eclipse chasers' legend, the odds for clear weather can be increased
significantly if the tour quides are sacrificed for weather gods. Our quides Jari Mäkinen and
Marko Pekkola are observerving the latest satellite pictures with some worried glances.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF 135mm f/2L USM
Image by: Henrik Herranen
Slowly the creeping clouds cover the sun. There is only one hour for the totality and weather
prospects for the nearby areas are depressing. Apathy fills the minds of most observers in the
area.
Image by: Henrik Herranen
Rain starts 30 minutes before totality.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
In the falling rain, only few observers are able to maintain a positive view to the
situation. Marjaana Lindborg and her friend are rare examples of the relaxed attitude.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D & EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Image by: Henrik Herranen
One of the teams most experienced observers, Juhani Salmi, wasn't ready to pack his self-made
telescope yet.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
A true Scot never looses grip of the style.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
It's cool man! According to Anssi Herranen, one can still see his own eyes reflecting pack from
the surface of the eclipse glasses. One of the most desired features at this situation...yea.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
The rest of the members in the Tähdet ja Avaruus -team (in black eclipse t-shirts) are also
seeking shelter below a forest of umbrellas. Both air around us and ground below us are filled
with water.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
Only a few minutes before the totality the sun is revealed between the drifting
clouds. All watchers are filled with disbelief and joy.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24mm f/1.4L II USM
Image by: Henrik Herranen
Even if the sky is covered with a slight veil of clouds, we can still see the sun shining
when darkness falls.
1/4 s, f/5.7, 300 mm ISO 3200
Camera: Canon EOS 5D & EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Image by: Emma Herranen
The black sun shines over the bus we've been sitting in for the last couple of days.
1/30 s, f/1.4, 23 mm, ISO 3200
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24mm f/1.4L II USM
Image by: Henrik Herranen
"But some day we'll catch a glimpse of eternity
As the world stands still, for a moment
And I guess we will be making history
When we all join hands just to watch the sky"
Apoptygma Berzerk: Eclipse
1 s, f/2.8, 36 mm (36-216 mm) ISO 100
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
At last the light returns and the tension is over.
1/400 s, f/8.0, 0 mm
Camera: Canon EOS 5D & EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Image by: Emma Herranen
Some smiles are visible in the faces of the people gathered in around the gasoline station.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24mm f/1.4L II USM
Image by: Henrik Herranen
The Polish Solar Eclipse Expedition gets a taste of Henrik's traditional Finnish observation drink
darker than
the
eclipse itself.
Camera: Canon PowerShot A650 IS
Image by: Emma Herranen
While returning to the hotel in Suzhou, it was obvious to everyone that the weather we'd got was
pretty much the best in the area. A heavy thunderstorm threw lightning and rain over the highway.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II & EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Images by: Henrik Herranen
Linksä
| 
