Solar Eclipse

The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017, was a spectacular event that was anticipated and witnessed by millions of people across the United States. Everyone in North America witnessed at least some part of the great eclipse. Parts of states in a line from Oregon to South Carolina were in the direct line of totality while other states experienced a partial eclipse, which was thrilling as well.

When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, the sun can be partially or totally blocked. As the eclipse begins, the sun could be compared to a cookie on which someone has taken a bite. The "bite" gets larger and larger as the sun is blocked out and then some pretty exciting phases of the solar eclipse begin to happen . . . the Diamond Ring effect, Baily's Beads effect, and totality.

The next total solar eclipse is scheduled for April 8, 2024. Bryan and College Station will experience a partial eclipse, but Waco, Kileen, Uvalde, and other Texas cities, towns, and communities will experience a total eclipse. (You might want to start thinking about making those hotel reservations now.)

Dr. Randy Light and his wife, Irene, traveled to South Carolina to film the solar eclipse in totality and photographed the entire event. Together, they made a spectacular team - she ran the stopwatch and he operated the camera.

Dr. Light combined his photos in a stunning collage, shown below, and won the People's Choice Award at the 2018 Texas Star Party.

Solar Eclipse Collage by Randy Light, M.D.

Solar Prominence    Photo by Randy Light, M.D.