The tour
The observation of this eclipse is part of a 10 days tour in Mongolia that I organized for a group of 11 persons with help of Black Ibex Expeditions mongolian travel agency. After our arrival in Ulaan Baatar on july 26th, the tour program begins with a 4 days driving in 4x4 vehicles (Ulaan Baatar, Arvayheer, Bayanhongor, Altay).
On board of three 4x4 minibus (russian UAZ), we
successively cross the green steppe ...
the dusty desert ...
and Altay mountains.
After a trip of 1400 Km, we finally join our ger camp july 31rst, the day before the eclipse.
The observation camp
Our camp (green dot on the map) at an altitude of 1300 meters (45° 47' 43"N, 92° 15' 58"E) is located in Hovd province, on the riverside of Bodonch river. We are less than 5 kilometers from the central line of the eclipse.
This ger camp composed of 26 yurts built by Black Ibex, receives many groups of different countries (England, Belgium, France, Japan, South Africa).
On this late afternoon of july 31rst, the weather is very stormy and western horizon above which the eclipse will occur, is totally masked.
Finally, on D day, the sky over the camp becomes clear. All around the camp, clouds have decided to stay apart.
So we decide to stay in the camp near our yurts to observe the eclipse (picture by Pierre Ouvrier).
Photographic equipment
My equipment is composed of a CANON EOS300D digital camera with Sigma 150-400 mm zoom lens and Astrosolar filter of density 5 for partial phases. Zoom focal lens is set at 400mm.
All this equipment is fixed on a motorized EQ1 mount. For reason of weight limitation, the counterweight of the equatorial mount is composed of a plastic bottle filled with mongolian sand.
Power is supplied by a 12V 4AH lead acid battery. The periodicity of the capture is managed with a Pocket Shutter sequencer.
First contact
33° over the horizon, first contact occurs at à 10H04 UT (17H04 Hovd province local time).
Moon at half way
Projection through a binocular eyepiece.
Arrival of the moon shadow
A the time of the first diamond.
Second contact
22° over the horizon, second contact occurs at 11H03 UT (18H03 local time).
Movie of first totality moments (1024 x768 AVI
XVID compression)
This movie is composed of six frames captured 5 seconds apart.
Totality
Planets appear now in the sky. From the left to the right Venus and Mercury.
Third contact
Two minutes and two seconds later, third contact occurs.
Movie of last eclipse moments
until the second diamond (1024 x768 AVI XVID compression 370 k)
This movie is composed of six frames captured 5 seconds apart.
Exit of the moon shadow
Last crepuscular moments ...
Celebration of the event
We don't wait for the last contact to celebrate this
succesful event.
First we open (thanks to Sophie!) a bottle of champaign which has survived
after a trip of
more than 8000Km !
Then according to mongolian custom, we share the traditional bowl of milk.
And finally a very emotionnal song is interpreted by our mongolian friends (picture by Pierre Ouvrier).
Last contact
13° over the horizon, last contact occurs at 12H00UT (19H00 local time).
In conclusion (picture by Philippe Lopez)
Many thanks :
- to all tour participants
- to Black Ibex Expeditions
who prepared for us a tour program rich with emotions
- to our 3 minibus drivers, Chuka, Maamga and Khasha, champions on bumpy trails
- to our charming guide Khishi (top left
on the picture) whose kindness and happiness we really appreciated
Some pictures of the tour by Denis Pierret
Satellite movie of the eclipse