"Ring of Fire" Annular Eclipse, May 2012, from Red Bluff, CA

When a supposed eclipse party at Whiskeytown Lake fizzled (massive crowds and no place for astronomers to park and set up their equipment), we retreated to our motel in Red Bluff and enjoyed this spectacular annular eclipse from the comfort and convenience of the motel parking lot, where we were able to share views with the motel locals.

I used an 80mm f/7 achromatic refractor with Orion white-light filter; Dave used a 4.5-inch reflector with Orion filter.

For the through-telescope shots, I used the 80mm f/7 and a Canon Rebel Xsi with an old eyepiece projection adaptor I found sitting in an old box in the garage, and a 25mm Plossl.

Blog post: Saw the "Ring of Fire" 2012 annular eclipse