Michael and Holley Bakich
On eclipse morning, clouds filled the sky, nearly obscuring morning twilight. Luckily, they cleared.
Michael and Holley Bakich
As several of us were touring Sydney (in the few hours before we could check into our hotel), I met these three girls who were passing out eclipse glasses and instructing people on how to safely view the eclipse. Right on!
Michael and Holley Bakich
Some people came to simply view the eclipse, while others were there to document it photographically. Here, tour leaders Jen Winter (kneeling) and Fred Bruenges (with binoculars) relax for a moment before the big event starts.
Michael and Holley Bakich
Californian John Volk poses with the terrific 4-inch refractor he brought to photograph the eclipse and view southern deep-sky wonders through.
Michael and Holley Bakich
Barry and Myrna Megdal are veteran eclipse-chasers I’ve traveled with before. Barry got some great images of the eclipse.
Despite a cloud that moved across the Sun’s face for about 30 seconds during totality, Barry Megdal captured the corona and some red prominences on the right side of the solar disk.
Astronomy Contributing Editor Mike Reynolds led a different tour to the eclipse and viewed the event from aboard ship. This image shows the full extent of the Sun’s corona.
This eclipse sequence beautifully illustrates what viewers saw in real time over about a three-hour period.
Michael and Holley Bakich
Because it was late spring in Australia, this was one of the only pools of water we found while exploring the interior. Fed by rain runoff, it’s deep enough to hold its liquid for several months of drought.
Michael and Holley Bakich
The locals call trees such as this one in King’s Canyon “widow makers.” Every now and then — seemingly for no reason — a large branch breaks off, occasionally with deadly results. We gave such trees wide berths.
Michael and Holley Bakich
The Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from sea level at Cairns to the small town of Kuranda, which sits at an elevation of 1,076 feet (328 meters). Our group took the two-hour journey, and along the way we saw rock walls, gardens, and waterfalls.
Michael and Holley Bakich
At Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, our group viewed a large area of rock art. Native Anangu have been creating these cave drawings for hundreds of years. But the drawings we saw are relatively new because the Anangu simply draw over previous art.
Michael and Holley Bakich
One way to view the Kuranda Rainforest near Cairns is to ride the Kuranda Skyrail. This system of cable cars takes visitors up to 100 feet (30.5 meters) above the forest canopy below.
Michael and Holley Bakich
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, which has a total length of 3,770 feet (1,149 meters) spans Sydney Harbour between the central business district and the North Shore. It’s a great way to see the Opera House and many of the varied neighborhoods in that vast city.
Michael and Holley Bakich
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s true natural wonders. Our group took a boat out and moored to the impressive pontoon vessel in this image that served as a base of operations.
