The opportunity to see something truly rare and in relative proximity cannot be passed up. The October 14, 2023 annular eclipse was just such an event.
This type of eclipse produces the “ring of fire”, not the midnight darkness of a total eclipse. The reason is the moon is at or very near its apogee and is not able to completely cover the sun.
True, there is another annular eclipse next year, but it will be visible only at the southern tip of South America. Given today’s uncertainty with geopolitics and economic conditions (and my age), this month’s celestial show in the southwestern U.S. was the “don’t miss” event of the decade.
The Chaco Canyon southern entrance. The settlement ruins are at the cliff’s base.
So, my son and I submitted to the often humiliating experience of traveling via airline. We braved the winding alleyways of TSA checkpoints that were akin to the final steps of livestock in an abattoir.
Instead of hearing the squeals and lowing of livestock in their last moments, we heard the shouts of “Sir, take off you belt and shoes” and “Madam, we don’t care how much that perfume cost, you can’t take it on the plane.”
Once past the inspectors with powder blue rubber gloves, we hustled to the gate only to wait to be called aboard in groups. Logic would indicate that those assigned seats in the back of the plane would be loaded first, followed by successive groups leading up to the door in the front of the jet.
But no, those seated nearest the door were loaded first so the succeeding groups could trundle by carrying luggage, “personal items”, children, support animals and anything else that got past the TSA agents.
Those passengers already seated got to dodge any errant material which breeched the bounds of the spacious 18-inch-wide aisles as the hordes meandered to the plane’s rear. Especially onerous was the loading of carry-ons in the overhead bins.
Some passengers were only too happy to push the size limits put in place by the airline, a decision that created some awkwardness when loading and unloading the bins. Often those seated below the carry-on luggage had to lend a hand or two during loading or risk a concussion.
Seating offered each passenger generous head and leg room with ample width to easily reach the seatbelt, if the passenger was six years or younger in age. Everyone else was packed as tight as herring filets.
Still the wide-open spaces and clear blue sky of New Mexico are irresistible. The plan was to view and photograph the eclipse from Chaco Canyon, the World Heritage Site managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
Ruins sit silently where once a pre-Columbian settlement’s residents eked out a living in the harsh environs. The pass in the distance opened to the thinly vegetated range where buffalo and other animals roamed in massive herds.
Our first day there was two days before the eclipse and not a cloud was in the sky. We had the good fortune to speak with park staff about the upcoming celestial event and what was to be expected.
They were anticipating crowds far beyond their capacity and had called in the local sheriff’s office to manage traffic. Parking lot assignments were being given out starting at 5:00 a.m. and once the lots were full, the park was to be closed.
Walkways and paths were crowded with amateur shutterbugs and their recently purchased equipment, some of which still had the price tags attached. Grey was the most common hair color present and there were almost no children.
After visiting some of the ruins of the pre-Navajo settlement, it was decided we’d take our chances at an overlook down a dirt road outside the park. It was a good choice.
The “ring of fire” lasted only a few short minutes. It was visible only through eclipse-filtered lenses and not with the unaided and unprotected eye. During the event the sunlight did dim, giving the area an appearance akin to dusk.
On the day of the annular eclipse, we were the only two people within at least 10 miles. It was quiet (no portable devices), the sky was cloudless and we had enough bottled water to drink. Even with all the inconveniences and annoyances of modern travel, it was well worth it.
Maybe a trip next year to southern Argentina is not such a bad idea. The rare chance to see such a stellar event is hard to pass up.
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