2008 China Total Solar Eclipse
The 2008 Silk Road Eclipse
In August 2008, TravelQuest took us to tour the Silk Road in China. Starting in Xian, where we saw the Terracotta Warriers, we boarded Chairman Moa’s sleeper train traveling to Jauquan, Dunhuang, Hami, Turpan, and Urumqi. Our eclipse viewing site for the 1m 58s eclipse was on the edge of the Gobi Desert and featured a marvelous temporary construction to impress for the Olympics which would occur a few days later. YouTube video.
Some of the Terracotta Warriers in Xian.
The lounge on Chairman Moa's train.
The western end of the Great Wall of China in Jiayuguan.
Riding camels in Dunhuang.
Chinese authorities built this museum and observatory at the eclipse site on the edge of the Gobi Desert.
From the roof of the museum.
Setting up my 77mm Borg refractor.
Baily's Beads at 2nd Contact.
A composite 2008 Total Solar Eclipse image.
The Diamond Ring at 3rd Contact.