Clouds of the Day - 2024 Eclipse from Missouri - April 8, 2024
/We traveled to southeastern Missouri to get as close as we could to the eclipse center line and favorable sky conditions. The series of photos below shows how the sky changed from before to during the total eclipse. The first three photos were taken before the eclipse was total. The fourth photo was taken as the dark umbra part of the shadow was approaching from the southwest. The final two photos were taken during totality which shows the ring of light that is visible in all directions at the outer edge of the shadow.
My favorite photos are the last three in this post. As the umbra approaches the sky to the southwest began to show a nebulous dusty look. Before it arrived the color of the sunlight gradually dimmed in the penumbra shadow. The moment the Moon fully covered the Sun the direct light from the Sun went dark with the only light visible being around the full 360 degree horizon as seen in the bottom two photos. The dark was in sharp contrast to the light around the horizon. We did see stars in the “night” sky. The were actually the planet Venus near the Sun and Jupiter low in the east and a star near the Sun.
During the partial Eclipse
During the partial eclipse
During the partial Eclipse
Just a moment before reaching totality we could see the approaching shadow.
The photo above is looking southwest as the umbra (darkest part of the shadow) approached. Notice the pale lighting on the trees in the foreground.
Below are two photos taken during totality. The sky is dark except for the ring of bright sky near the horizon where light from beyond the edge of the umbra shadow is visible.
Here is a description of the umbra and penumbra portions of the shadow by NASA. CLICK HERE.
During totality there was a ring of perpetual twilight around the 360 degree horizon. Note the dark sky overhead.
Looking in every direction we saw a perpetual twilight ring of light in all directions. Note the dark sky overhead.