---
title: Eclipse
date: 2024-04-09T20:26:31-05:00
description: >
  I traveled to Austin, TX to watch the total solar eclipse that passed over
  North America, and visit my friend Breanna Carzoo.
tags:
  - Travel
  - Space
  - Eclipse
  - "Austin, TX"
  - Texas
  - Food
  - Conchas
  - Books
  - Reading
resources:
  - name: preparing
    src: preparing.jpg
    title:
  - name: sol
    src: sol.jpg
    title: Sol
  - name: ringoffire
    src: ringoffire.jpg
    title: The Ring of Fire
  - name: diamondring
    src: diamondring.jpg
    title: Diamond Ring
  - src: breanna-reading.jpg
    title: Breanna read Greenlight to a room full of kids wearing bee antennae.
  - name: concha
    src: comadre-concha.jpg
    title: >
      An earl grey concha from Comadre. The most delicate, flavorful pan dulce
      I've ever had.
    params:
      alt: >
        A small round bun with a pinkish topping sittin on a napkin in front of
        a traditional cardboard donut box.
---

{{< figures/image name=preparing >}}

On April 8, the earth experienced a [total solar eclipse][nasa] tracking over
North America. I was so excited to be able to travel to the path of totality and
observe the eclipse with my friend and fellow space nerd, [Breanna
Carzoo][breanna].

My setup for all my eclipse photos was a [Fujifilm X-T5][xt5], with a [Canon EF
100mm Macro][lens] lens. I used a [Fringer EF-XT converter][converter] to mount
the EF lens on the X-T5. Of course I also had a solar filter.

Here's one of my first test images. You can see a sun spot!

{{< figures/image name=sol >}}

During totality, when the moon fully covers the disc of the sun, a phenomenon
known as the "Ring of Fire" occurse. The sky is dark and most of the Sun's light
is hidden. In this state, it's possible to see the Sun's corona.

{{< figures/image name=ringoffire >}}

Just before and after totality is the "Diamond Ring" phase, when the last bit of
light from the Sun's disc shines through the craters and valleys of the moon's
surface.

{{< figures/image name=diamondring >}}

Austin, TX was pretty cloudy that day. I'm grateful we were able to see as much
of the eclipse as we did. The clouds made for some awesome effects too. I'm
particularly proud of my Diamond Ring image (above) with the additional drama
the clouds brought to an already stunning event.

Apart from the eclipse, I got to see Breanna do a book event in Bee Cave, TX.
This town is adorable and leans hard into its name -- everything has a bee
theme.

{{< figures/image name=breanna-reading.jpg >}}

I was also eager to try [Comadre Panadería](https://comadrepanaderia.com) after
hearing about it from Claire Saffitz on [one of her videos][comadre-yt] on her
Dessert Person YouTube channel. I have a huge soft spot for conchas -- Mexican
pan dulces shaped like shells -- and these were _incredible_.

{{< figures/image name=concha >}}

All told, a very successful trip! Breanna and I had a great time hanging out
together, and despite the clouds we got some great views of the eclipse.

[nasa]: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/
[breanna]: https://www.breannacarzoo.com
[xt5]: https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/cameras/x-t5/
[lens]: https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/ef-100mm-f-2-8l-macro-is-usm
[converter]: https://www.fringeradapter.com/canon-ef-to-fujifilm-x
[comadre-yt]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTHTfJ-91E