The Total Eclipse - USA 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A remarkable event on the 21st August, 2017 witnessed and photographed by Rob Slack

Rob and his wife travelled from the UK to Clarksville, Tennessee to witness the "Great American Eclipse" last August. This was to be Rob's second total eclipse of the Sun, the first being here in the UK in 1999. Unlike the UK eclipse, which fell victim to the British weather, the USA eclipse was witnessed under almost perfect conditions.


Rob tells us - "I had been in contact with several societies around the Nashville area, in order to find a suitable viewing location. However most of the societies members wanted to view the eclipse on their own and I was unable to organise anything with a club. However I was eventually put in contact with the Austin Peay State University in Clarksville and they in turn put me in touch with a Professor who planned an outreach event in the small town of Guthrie, Kentucky."


By driving around 15 miles north of Clarksville to Guthrie, bought us an extra 20 seconds of totality, as we were closer to the centre line. Guthrie was also much quieter and far less chance of my equipment being knocked during a critical moment! The guys from the university were also very helpful in providing shade, facilities and most importantly, plenty of cold drinks - temps were in the mid to high 30s!"


Rob now plans to return to the USA for their next total eclipse of the Sun in 2024. Possible destination is somewhere in Texas.

All photographs and video © Rob Slack

 

 
Other photos by Rob can be found HERE
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