The Croydon Astronomical Society

Contributed by Paul Harper - St Cleer Cornwall
 

Like most of us who went to Cornwall for the eclipse, all most of us saw of it, was cloud with the occasional glimpse of a partial eclipsed sun.  With me was fellow society members, Sean and Marie, together with another Sean, a Geo-Biologist from Kingston University.  We carried out a few experiments. The first was to record the temperature drop. We recorded a drop in temperature of some 6 degrees F. (approx. 3 degrees C.)  The second was to listen to a Spanish radio station, on 639 megaHertz. The object of this was to detect a radio station on medium wave, that you can only hear at night. In the ionosphere (I think that's what it's called), the lower layer known at D layer, is supposed to dissipate, allowing medium waves to travel further. The experiment was fairly successful. The signal got stronger near the time of totality. We recorded this on tape. Out of interest at 11.11am the announcer said in English "Hello England !".  We also observed animal behaviour. Sheep in a near by field gathered in one part of field, as if it was sun set. Birds roosted, and cows laid down.
	My second picture shows a strange arching effect of the clouds, at 10.30am. This is when we had strong gush of wind. (Very similar to those seen in Devon (John M))  I believe this is when the barometric pressure began to drop.
The next 2 pictures shows the shadow coming from the southwest.
My last picture is looking North at the edge of totality, showing light comparison, with a cafe in the foreground, which was lit up.

We were on the cliffs 1mile to the east of the Lizard with a good view of the sea to the SE.  As totality approached the clouds darkened of course but with a golden light along the horizon. As the shadow rushed off to the SE this light darkened in its path and after the diamond ring appeared the horizon became very dark under black brooding clouds.  behind us was a red dawn sky.  So the movement of the shadow over the sea was quite clear and pretty impressive. So if I'm able to see another total then I would definitely go as high as possible to see this effect better! As I mentioned before we were unbelievably fortunate for a small patch of sky to clear just in the right place at precisely the right time!  We could even see the a patch of sunlight glinting on the see below us!  During totality the photo flashes from all along the cliff and beaches for miles were quite fun. Listening to the sound from my static video camera (on a tripod looking out to sea) the wind completely dropped for about 15mins around totality, but was noticeable before and after then.  Some noticed the temperature drop but I reckon I was too busy to notice! a totally surreal experience. Hope you like the five pics which I grabbed as stills from my handheld video, Look forward to seeing you all on the 3rd Sep Allan

Approaching Totality 1  by John Murrell	Approaching Totality 2  by John Murrell
The view West at Totality 1  by John Murrell	The view West at Totality 2  by John Murrell
At Totality - looking South towards the Centre Line  by John Murrell	Totality ends - looking west  by John Murrell
The 6 pictures above were taken from a field just North of Kingsbridge in Devon. The best ( & only)  view of totality was on my portable TV ! The experience was very memorable in particular the sight of all the flashguns going off in Salcombe on the horizon some 6 or 7 miles due South. It was amazing to see just how many of the fields had people who were made visible only by the flashes from their flashguns !