SYZYGY WATCH! Rare Total Eclipse of the Sun

There was a rarish total solar eclipse on 2 July which terminated at the eastern coast of S. America (think Argentina… portentous!). Rarish because totality was viewed close to sunset, near to the horizon, producing some amazing views.

A reader writes:

Fr. Z,
I am an eclipse chaser as well as an avid reader of your blog. I am in Argentina this week and was able to witness a magnificent total eclipse of the sun. I recalled your interest in matters celestial, and imagined you might like this photo I captured of the moment.

I put together little solar projections from the syzygies I witness (eclipses and transits), and would be happy to post one to you if you would like.

Pax et bonum,
James

Yes, please!

Here is the photo he sent.

SpaceWeather also has a few truly awesome photos of this rarish eclipse. HERE Included as some “dreamshots”. For you who read this later, Spaceweather scrolls their stories off the front pretty quickly. Look at THIS!!!

BTW… the “transits” he mentioned are like to those great events of the Transit of Venus across the face of your planet’s yellow star.   I was still living in Rome during the first of the last pair of Transits.  Near the Holy See Press Office, a couple of lads from England had set up their telescopes and were letting everyone who wanted to have a look, have a look.  It was marvelous.

Here’s Sousa’s Transit of Venus March written in honor of a man who had worked on the proper viewing of the penultimate pair of Transits.

Did you know that Sousa also wrote novels?

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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8 Comments

  1. acardnal says:

    Love the the Sousa music on the 4th! Good choice.

  2. erick says:

    Really cool pic! Looks like an eye in the sky.

  3. GHP says:

    Oooooo….. the Eye of Sauron!

    [Not exactly.]

  4. Kathleen10 says:

    Oh those photos. I am really anticipating 2024 when the other side of the “X” crosses our hemisphere in the states. We had the first part in 2017, we viewed it at 98%, but when it crosses Vermont, we plan to be there for the total. Assuming the SMD hasn’t arrived yet, of course.

  5. KateD says:

    Considered it for a millisecond before reality set in…

    Next one!

  6. Semper Gumby says:

    Those photos are magnificent. A day with syzygy and Sousa is a good day. A soutane would top it off.

  7. Charivari Rob says:

    I must go find my copy of Nightfall.

  8. un-ionized says:

    Unfortunately my fave Souza march is “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.” (blush)

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