A syzygy ((“Syzygy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syzygy. Accessed 24 Oct. 2023.)) is any three celestial bodies of a single gravitational system arranged in a line. If one of those bodies is light emitting like the Sun, if the middle one is the Moon, and is the third one is the Earth, the result is a solar eclipse. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all eclipses, but solar ones are special. Why? Because we can see all three bodies: The Earth at our feet, the Moon by its blocking out of the Sun, and the Sun. When I think about it, solar eclipses are as much about the Moon as they are about the Sun.
A solar eclipse occurred locally on the morning of 14 October 2023 when the Moon was farther away than average from our planet. The smaller apparent size of the Moon could not quite cover the entire Sun. The result was an annular eclipse defined as a ring of exposed light remaining around the edge of the Sun. That annularity, as it is called, lasted 4.5 minutes from our location in Richfield, Utah. Here are some scenes from our eclipse party in that central Utah city:
Sun before Eclipse against Clouds
There are two sunspot groups visible, one near the center and the other in the lower left quadrant. Weirdly, the spots seem to be on the clouds rather than on the Sun. (You will have to look close to see the spots.)
Seth Jarvis, Noted Science Educator
The retired director of the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City is ready to enjoy the show.
Mother and Son Hugging
If I see a mother and son embracing and I have a camera, there is going to be a photo. Mother is Susan Jarvis and son is Peter Campbell. Both are wonderful artists whose pieces were featured in the Loge Gallery at the Pioneer Theater earlier this month.
First Contact
I find this moment the most exciting of a solar eclipse because the hiding Moon suddenly reveals itself at the exact minute predicted.
An odd sensation, which I had experienced at a previous annular eclipse, is dimensionality. I sense not only intellectually but also emotionally the very distant Sun and the very near Moon. One of my brothers is the only other person who has reported this sense of dimensionality. If you have, please leave a comment.
An Eclipse Party Broke Out
I did not know the three people on the left, but once the eclipse began we were all friends. Susan Jarvis at the binoculars; Carol (retired associate director of the Clark Planetarium and my spouse) in the hat behind Susan; and Seth Jarvis, seated, complete the group.
Michael DeCaria (Author)
(Photo courtesy of Susan Jarvis)
Fifty-four Minutes after First Contact
I remind myself that the black bite out of the Sun is the Moon. If you look closely, you can see the outline of lunar features on the lower right edge of the Moon. The Moon is not a smooth ball.
Sixty Minutes after First Contact
The Moon has now hidden that one sunspot that was visible in the previous picture.
Sixty-seven Minutes after First Contact
Even the little sliver of Sun overwhelms the camera sensor. But you can see the almost eclipsed Sun in the green lens reflection above and slightly to the left of the Sun.
Endnote
Because I stopped taking pictures here, I have no photos of the annularity or “ring of fire.” Instead, I enjoyed the 4.5 minutes of annularity by looking through a #13 welding glass. Sometimes I put the glass aside and simply looked at the scenery and other parts of the sky while I pushed any words out of my head.
Thank you, for visiting thecosmos.blog,
Sincerely,
Michael DeCaria
Making visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen -Robert Bresson
Very cool! I have never experienced the sensation of dimensionality with an eclipse, but I like your explanation of it.
Hi Alex, I first noticed the dimensionality during the annular eclipse of 2012. Our brother Don and I observed that eclipse together. Afterward he commented on the phenomenon. I did not notice the dimensionality during the total eclipse of 2017. Perhaps, my mind was overwhelmed by the privilege of experiencing totality for the first time, literally a lifelong dream come true. Best, Michael
The word ‘syzygy’ is new to me. After looking up the etymology of this word I read that it was the ancient Greeks who introduced it: “yolked together.” Think of all the humans who have witnessed it! How lucky we are to have a full understanding of what occurs during an eclipse. Thanks to your post, Michael, my understanding is much fuller.
I didn’t realize that the moon’s topography could be seen real time. Wow. To be able to see the rough edge in your photo turned what would be a mere geometric circle shape into an actual image of a celestial body. Who knew?
I never considered the dimensionality of the celestial bodies during an eclipse. Now that I am aware of the juxtapositions of space and time – I shall observe the first contact with greater appreciation.
Your description of the people attending this event and the images of the general public does make it seem like a party. Great post, Michael!
Hi Susie, I will remember the joy of the spontaneous party of strangers as the most wonderful part of the event. Thank you for your generous comments. Here’s to our Texas eclipse party in April 2024! Best, Michael
You are a such a great story teller Mike. You pack so much illustrative power is such few words and we all know how many words a picture can be worth as well so we get both.
I enjoyed the pictures of you setting the scene with Nancy, Carol, Seth, Peter and your new on the spot friends too. It is great to see YOU as well in your element.
I love the close up pictures with their tack sharpness and detail.
My favorite is the lens reflection the last shot. I did not notice it until you pointed it out and now it all I can see.
Thank you for sharing your talents and adventures with us. And the vocabulary addition as well. That is a new one for me.
YOU ROCK MIKE!!
Hi Darrin, Thank you very much for your complimentary comments, especially the one about story telling. That lens reflection of the eclipsed Sun was not intended and could have been a flaw, but it has stolen the show! I greatly appreciate your thoughtful analysis of the whole post! Best, Michael