Kathy, Clint, Michael and myself left home at 7:00 AM (stopped 10 minutes to get breakfast at McDonalds) and drove to Hurst IL the morning of the Eclipse. The planned 2hr 30min drive was just 2hr 50min long, including the two stops (McD + Bathroom & gas). Very small amount of traffic.

We were the first to arrive, followed in about an hour by two other families. One drove in from the Edwardsville IL area, and the other flew in from Wisconsin, using Vernon Dury's private (grass) landing strip in front of his house . I set up the 80mm f/5 refractor and the 8" SCT, including Baader solar filters for each.

We did not pack out for the drive home until after last contact (c4). It took us right at 4hr 50min to get home. Mostly averaging 10mph until we got to the Metro East and the I-64 traffic then parted in multiple directions. It was worth it!

4-8-2024

TSE - Hurst IL

Credit: http://xjubier.free.fr/

Our location for this eclipse enjoyed 4min 7sec of totality. Just about 1 second off the centerline about 2 miles South. My oldest son (Clint) was in charge of setting a 4 minute timer once Totality started, so that we would all be warned to put filters/glasses back on.

Sometime after the partial phase (C1) started, I attached the Celestron NeXYZ phone holder to the 80mm. I took a few images, then shared the setup with others in our group to take some photos of the partial phase. I let them know that I would be 'selfish' and hog the setup when totality came, but that I would happily share my images with them. The C8 was wide open for anyone to peer through, as well as an assortment of filtered binoculars and the table top viewer.

A kitchen colander was used to project multiple tiny crescents on the ground.

The few minutes leading up to totality were eerie indeed. Shadows began to become sharper. The whitish cement below our feet looked dull yellow, as if at sunset. Totality came and the temperature dropped quickly and significantly. I was so engaged that I missed the first "Diamond Ring", taking the filter off the 80mm a bit late!

Our small crowd became quiet, absolutely in awe as we removed our eclipse glasses and solar filters. Someone called out "What are the red things?", as one or two solar prominences were visible to the naked eye. I busily took some images on my iPhone8, but neglected to even pull out the Nikon D3100 with 300mm lens.....it sat unused in the car.

Kathy managed to capture Totality on her iPhoneX, and also got Jupiter (top left) and bright Venus (lower right). Nice black dot at middle of Sun. Great job!