We were fortunate to be allowed into the Thomas Property by Lyn and Cliff, to observe from Thomas Hill (longitude 133d 47m 09.6s, latitude -32d 13m 36.4s at an elevation of 31 metres), our observing group are shown in the first image below.
We had moved off the centre line by around 14 kilometers south east as planned, to give a 24 second totality time with the intention of capturing many Baily Beads. But we were partially defeated by cloud. However, we managed to record around 14 seconds of totality with the video camera before the diamond ring at 9h 41m 16s (UT). Fay noticed the sheep in the paddock nearby bedding down for the night as the land around us darkened and then 24 seconds later jump up for a new morning. The cloud cover just before totality was in itself quite beautiful (see second image) as photographed by Fay.
The Baily Beads have been analysed and the results correlated with the prediction program wth good results.
by Neil Speirs / Wordfreak 2002
Rule one: Arrive in the path of totality at least the night before. Rule two: Compose a limerick for each day of the trip (the limerick must be written and recited on the day).
We fly into Adelaide on Sunday, three days before the eclipse. Cold and cloudy weather&emdash;unusual for summer in South Australia, particularly during a long drought. Already, thoughts of cloud consume the eclipse chasers.
Monday, a six-hour drive to Kimba. This is wheat country.
Tuesday, we reluctantly leave the Big Galah. More flat, dry wheat country. Four hours to Ceduna, in the centre of the path of totality. More traffic than usual, we often see a car or a truck. Speed limit 110, let's allow 10 per cent for tolerance and speedo error.
Wednesday in Ceduna, cloudy, windy. Most of the eclipse memorabilia for sale bears the slogan "eclipse in the outback".
A few hours before the eclipse, the cloud cover is total. Our group ventures about thirty km inland, in the (justified) hope of less cloud and the (unjustified) hope of less wind. The sky is clear for first contact at 6.40 pm and in the next hour we lose only a few minutes to occasional clouds. Six minutes before second contact, an approaching cloud becomes a worry. Some in our group suddenly drive 2 km south to ensure a clear view.
A wonderful eclipse of about thirty seconds. Close to the horizon, framed by trees, it looks enormous. The illusion that makes a low moon (or sun) appear larger apparently applies to low eclipses. The corona looks, to me, smaller than in other eclipses. A teenage girl squeals "It's so beautiful!" many times. No disagreement from the hardened eclipse followers.
Eclipses are more dramatic, more cathartic, when clouds look likely to block the view. What eclipse freak would in advance choose cloud rather than clear sky? But what could match the joy of seeing an eclipse where, three hours earlier, no blue was visible? The thousands on the beach in Ceduna, where the sun is uncovered only a couple of minutes before totality, jump and shout and cheer. So do I.