My family chose La Serena and Coquimbo in Chile to be our 2019 total solar eclipse viewing location. We arrived at the La Florida Airport in La Serena a couple days before the eclipse. The flight was entirely full of eclipse observers.
Upon arrival at the airport, we saw a poster describing the visibility of the 2019 total solar eclipse in nearby towns. On the streets, there were signs everywhere about the 2019 total solar eclipse. I guess I wasn’t the only one who was excited about it!
On the day of the eclipse, a maintenance truck from Coquimbo parked by the beach to prepare for the crowds. A helicopter flew over the beach constantly. While we were getting the camera ready in the afternoon, many people were already gathering along the La Serena and Coquimbo beaches.
We found a perfect apartment from Airbnb for the 2019 total solar eclipse viewing. The apartment is on the 19th floor with a large balcony that faces the winter afternoon sun directly. We sat comfortably in the balcony during the eclipse and the angle of the sun didn’t require us to raise our heads at all.
Since the 2017 total solar eclipse, we have been studying about how to take photos of a solar eclipse. Taking photos of a total solar eclipse is not easy, mainly because a total solar eclipse doesn’t happen frequently (so we can’t really practice shooting totality photos) and totality only lasts for minutes. Here are our first set of total eclipse photos.
I would say our first shot wasn’t too bad. For getting a photo of the outer corona, we probably need to zoom out a little bit and expose longer. It also will help if we use a tracking mount so that we don’t need to keep tracking the sun manually, especially during totality, when every moment of it is so precious.
The totality of the 2019 total solar eclipse looked somewhat different than what I remember about 2017 total solar eclipse. The 2019 totality had a long aura with a 45 degree angle and the corona looked relatively still. The 2017 totality, in contrast, didn’t have a long aura, but the corona looked like a circular candle flame flickering around the edges (read my story about viewing the 2017 total solar eclipse).
The sky during totality was just as intriguing and mysterious. I enjoyed the magical moment of totality that makes me feel so small!
Here is a fast-forward video from 5 minutes before totality to right after totality, showing how the sky quickly changes before and after totality. The totality, when the sun is entirely covered by the moon, can be viewed with the naked eye without protection, but not during other stages of a solar eclipse (It is very important to always use a certified sun shade when viewing the sun directly. Otherwise, it can permanently damage your eyes). Therefore, I can only witness the sky changes through a video recording. I hope you find it fascinating too.
Many people participated in this magnificent event in their own style. We saw some skydivers flying down from the sky during the eclipse. We saw some people flying their drone in the sky.
After the eclipse, the traffic getting out was badly backed-up (see my tips about traveling to totality below). The beautiful sunset bid a farewell to everyone. See you next time in 2020!
When and where is there a total solar eclipse after the 2019 total solar eclipse
The next total solar eclipse will be on December 14, 2020. It will pass the southern part of South America and it will be summer time, which is a great time to visit the southern part of South America.
It is too bad that I won’t be able to see it because I will be in school. If you are planning to observe the 2020 total solar eclipse, please let me know how it goes and show me some pictures!
Here are my tips for travel to totality (again)
1. Plan early and get a place to stay within the totality zone: Getting a place within the totality zone is the key here. And don’t think you will find a good place, or any place at all, to stay when time is close. Remember, it is no fun at all to drive for hours into and hours out of the totality zone, especially with kids.
2. Plan the trip for more than just eclipse viewing: I enjoyed every part of our past solar eclipse trips, the towns, the stunning views, the hiking, the star gazing, the movies, the wild animals, and even the bugs.
3. Get settled a couple days before the big day: We didn’t run into any traffic AT ALL during our past eclipse trips. We arrived at our destination a couple days before the eclipse day. We got all the supplies we needed before the crowds poured in. And we sat back and enjoyed the entire time as a family.
4. Determine to enjoy family time with or without seeing the total eclipse: Accept the chance that the sun won’t show up during the total eclipse. There is no way to control the weather. So don’t let it become a spoiler! Family time is always fun time! Make it your adventure.
5. Be relaxed and enjoy a couple more days of getaway time after the event: We didn’t run into any traffic AT ALL again on our way back home after our eclipse trips. What we brought back with us was a totally great memory!
La Serena
Coquimbo
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