This was my third Total Solar Eclipse experience. For the first one, 7 March 1970, I traveled to Florida with some fellow Indiana University astronomy students. During the eclipse the sky was totally overcast. My second Total Solar Eclipse, 21 August 2017, was a total success, as discussed on my Total Solar Eclipse report.

For the 21 August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse I had two goals: 1) see and photograph the eclipse as I had been clouded out during the 7 March 1970 Total Solar Eclipse, and 2) photograph Earthshine. I was successful with both goals. I was not able to photograph the Diamond Ring in 2017, although I did see it as Totality ended. For the 8 April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, I had two goals: 1) see and photograph the eclipse from my hometown, and 2) see and photograph the Diamond Ring.

Monday morning, 8 April, was mostly clear, leading to the likelihood that the cloud forecast I saw on Friday, 5 April, would be accurate. This view from the hotel looks west.

Rather than fight the crowds and traffic at the Seymour airport, which was the "official" viewing location, I decided to set up in our hotel parking lot. I had scouted out a location on Friday after arriving at the hotel. This was my setup with my Nikon D850 DSLR, Tamron 150-600mm lens, and Explore Scientific Sun Catcher Solar Filter on an equatorially mounted iOptron SkyTracker Pro with a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head.

My nieces Linda and Kathy joined my wife, Laurraine, and I at the hotel. Later, cousin Nancy (not pictured) joined us. There were many other people watching the eclipse from near us.

Several times during the partial phases, I used the Seymour Eclipse Glasses and my Lunt Solar Systems SUNoculars 8x32 to view the Sun.

Two hours after the eclipse ended, this was the western sky.

So how did I do on my goals? Click the link below.

Total Solar Eclipse 8 April 2024 photos report.

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