SOLAR ECLIPSE OVER ARKANSAS

There could not have been a more spectacular and memory-provoking end to a
warm Sunday in Arkansas: the spectacular sunset through high clouds in a
fiery red sky over Mount Nebo as seen from the western bluffs of Petit Jean
Mountain would have been enough to inspire even the dull at mind. But
combine that with the Earth's moon moving ever-so-slowly eastward and
beginning to cover up the setting sun, as though a giant celestial dragon
was chomping at our sun, and nothing short of "wow" would do for the dozen
or so spectators who had gathered atop the Palisades overlook to watch the
partial solar eclipse setting in the western sky.

At about 7:30 p.m. Petit Jean Time, the moon took its first "bite" out of
the western edge of the sun as it was still high over Mount Nebo; within an
hour, the sun was already setting and the moon had moved as far between the
sun and our spectators as it was going to before setting quietly about 8:15
p.m. It was a partial solar eclipse for Arkansas, but for observers farther
west, the eclipse was TOTAL, or annular, meaning that the moon had time to
completely cover up the sun before it set and present it as a glowing ring
of light over distant horizons.

But nothing could have been as spectacular as the sight from Arkansas, and
particular Petit Jean Mountain, with Mount Nebo, some 45 miles west,
presenting a commanding silhouette in front of the far more distant sun.

The eclipse can only take place when the sun, moon and earth all line up
precisely; although the moon is very close (as seen from Earth) to the sun
every New Moon, it is rare that it aligns in its angle so that it will
actually eclipse, or block the light of, the sun. The sun and moon -
through one of nature's most incredible quirks - appear to be the same size
as seen from our vantage point on this planet. If not, the eclipse would
never be so spectacular. In reality, the sun is a whopping 93 million miles
away, and nearly one million miles in diameter; our little moon on the other
hand, is tiny by comparison, only one-sixth the size of the Earth, but it is
very close compared to the sun, only some 238,000 miles distant. But
compared side by side from Earth, they are nearly identical in apparent
size.

As electronic camera equipment failed for the Arkansas Sky Observatories
telescope set up on the bluff just moments before the sun reached its final
angles above the horizon, Larry Miller, from the Petit Jean Headlight joined
the group with his Canon digital SLR camera and telephoto lens. Thus was
captured this spectacular image, freezing a moment in time for Earth, Space,
Sky and Man.

Dr. Clay