It has been a while since I published the last post in this series. Back then the topic was holiday lights that had brighten my life in all senses, including literally. Today’s post is kind of the opposite.
As we suspected it would be, this morning we woke up to an overcast morning not looking promising for the impending solar eclipse. As I looked at the sky before driving to work, I couldn’t see anything but grey clouds. I thought about how it should be disappointing to all those who had planned on watching the eclipse, started my car and called a friend to discuss the mischance.
I: What are you doing?
F: Watching the eclipse.
I: Where?!!
F: … On my backyard…
I: I mean, how?
F: (for the next 30 seconds my friend was explaining to me the physics of looking at Sun through a tiny hole in some device)
I: I mean, where do you see the sun? It’s cloudy here (our houses are about 5 miles part)
F: It comes and goes.
At this point I noticed that clouds parted a little, and there it was – a small sliver of sun.
I: I see it! Wait, I should take a picture…
As I parked along the road, rolled (wound – for my British friends) down the window and started taking pictures, my friend was explaining to me how it was impossible to do it without special black lens…
It’s hard to call sun a “small thing,” a solar eclipse is hardly something that is associated with illuminating things, and I’m sure that there are thousands of better pictures taken of this event. But for the rest of the day I kept proudly showing my “impossible picture” to friends and colleagues. And it did make my day brighter.
Image: my own
Undina's Looking Glass 
I’m so envious that you guys in the US were able to see such a magnificent solar eclipse with your own eyes.
The next one that will be available for the eyes of people in Europe will happen in more than 100 years so I definitely won’t be able to witness :(
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There will be a full solar eclipse in Texas in 7 years – maybe by that time you’ll plan your trip to here? :)
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who knows what will happen then, 7 years from now feels so distant
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Thanks for sharing that photo….it is amazing!!!
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Thank you, Lavender.
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That’s such a cool photo!
It was mainly overcast here as well. I tried to see a bit when I went out for my lunch break, but it wasn’t meant to be. Thanks for sharing your “impossible” picture!
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I’m glad I didn’t know it was impossible :)
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Actually, your photo is very lovely, with the faint blue behind the dark grey and white clouds! You have every right to be proud of it! Thank you for sharing it. Of the photos I took (not directly at the sun), I think my favorites are of the crescent-shaped shadows of the eclipse on the pavement. Wasn’t it amazing to be able to see such an event?
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I was! When I arrived to the office, it was just after the highest degree for our area, and there was a couple of dozens of people outside watching the event. It felt nice to be a part of that happening.
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Nice job of capturing the photo! I was able to see a crescent from inside my office building. Someone had solar eclipse glasses which got passed around.
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Somehow I didn’t even think about getting those glasses, so hadn’t it been for the overcast I wouldn’t have been able to see it at all. Lucky coincidence, I guess
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Great photo! That won’t have hurt your eyes. ;)
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Thank you.
I’ve heard there are scary statistics on how many people hurt their eyes every time a solar eclipse is observable from populated areas.
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Love your pic, Undina!
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Thanks! :)
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