Eclipse images from Chengshanjou, China

Hello everyone,
This has been my first real opportunity in ages to take any images remotely related to astronomy. This was my first experience of a total eclipse and it's one that will stay with me forever. Our group was incredibly lucky to actually see anything at all. The night before the eclipse Dr.John Mason briefed us on our viewing location, based on up to date satellite imagery he had studied over the 5 days previous. He suggested a location 1 hours drive north of Hangzhou called Chengshanjou. A beautiful lake surrounded by mountains covered in lush vegetation. Leaving the hotel the morning of the eclipse we were greeted with heavy rain accompanying very low cloud cover. Things didn't look much better when we arrived on the viewing location although the rain had eased off. a few moments before first contact, the clouds started to break and conditions started to brighten. All the partial phases could be seen through breaks in the cloud cover. When the moment of totality arrived the sun was covered with a thick covering of cloud. The only thing drawing my attention was the sheer darkness and dropping temperature. The winds started to pick up from all directions and a minute after the beginning the clouds broke and we were greeted to the wonderful spectacle of totality. There was a cheer from the crowd followed by the sounds of cameras. The eclipse was visible through only the thinnest layer of cloud for the remaining 4 minutes or so. Bailey's beads were very prominent moments before the second diamond ring. All round a wonderful experience!

farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3764458587_5c5f749602_b.jpg

farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3765255350_5ccff917a5_b.jpg

farm3.static.flickr.com/2552/3764456221_59eeaa994b_b.jpg

farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3765353470_2d2f3e9811_b.jpg

farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3765355006_f39f3ca8e7_b.jpg

Hi James.
Well done on photographing let alone seeing this eclipse!
It seems that it was hit and miss everywhere across China.
Oddly enough India got a great view.
I'm surprised more people did not sacrifice the time
and go there as there were better weather prospects and a
shorter flight.
Still, with eclipses you really can't do things by halves.

Congrats again on actually getting some photos.
I'm sure for your first eclipse you are now spoiled!
The average 2 min or thereabouts will always pale in comparison!

Hi James,
Very nice and rare shots, there are very few shots of this eclipse, its nice to see some.

Was the track through India not in very remote country? For me the trip was a chance to experience China, thats why the trip was more than just about the eclipse, doing the sights etc. Eclipses are good for that - you get to travel to countries you normally wouldn't go to.

Yea the track across India was in a tought to get to place.
I considered going to this eclipse, but figured the weather prospects were not good enough to warrent going as I'd have no interest in going there just for the tourist side of a trip to China. I had given serious thought of going on one of the cruise ships, but then it all gets very expensive, I suppose there is always 18 years time.

Dave_Lillis wrote:

Yea the track across India was in a tought to get to place.
I considered going to this eclipse, but figured the weather prospects were not good enough to warrent going as I'd have no interest in going there just for the tourist side of a trip to China. I had given serious thought of going on one of the cruise ships, but then it all gets very expensive, I suppose there is always 18 years time.

How many decades in advance should we book our hotel in Luxor Dave??