Hoegaarden Astronomy & Photography
Last weekend we explored the “Ardennes” department in France, close to the Belgian border.
We found a charming ‘gite’, and could observe the Milky Way. Because it was only a test weekend and I could only stay 1 night, I did not bring any elaborate equipment.
A unique experience, worthwhile travelling to Spain.
Our destination was Zaragossa, and we’d gather with the whole family there to watch the spectacle. Our viewpoint was the “Mirador de Valdejalon” near the city.
When we arrived at 14hrs, our son Bastiaan and his girlfriend already occupied the perfect spot with their camper van. So we build camp to survive the scorching sun, 40+ degrees and a hot dry wind.
All around us were the windwills and dozens of people were gathering in anticipation.
Everybody was preparing for the big event.
Finally it began. The Moon was slowly but surely eating the Sun’s disk bit by bit. The light grew dimmer and the totality approached.
And the magically, as if God himself (or herself) pulled the switch, the Moon jumped before the Sun and there it was: a black Sun dominating the sky. Everything turned dark. The north and south horizon were still sun-lit, but at our place it was night.
Too soon, the light came back and the Sun continued it’s journey to the horizon, to set a second time.
So ended this adventure, which we were anticipating so long, with a clear night under the stars in Zaragossa.
This website only uses statistical cookies. No personal data is collected or shared.