Picture Gallery 2002

		Despite the uncertain prospects, we decide it's worth setting up the equipment. The tour leader (just behind me) finds out that a standard photographic tripod isn't ideal for the job (!) while others get their binoculars out of the lorry.

And talking of equipment, this is what I now use. A standard Minolta 7000i 35mm camera with a 600mm mirror lens plus doubler, on a telescopic equatorial tripod using a slightly modified mounting plate. The spirit-level is to ensure the mount is accurately level, and a compass ensures correct orientation. The azimuth angle is controlled by the knob with the red centre, set to the local latitude (found by GPS), and the camera mount then rotates in declination (around the axis defined by the silver rod extending to the left) and right ascension (around the axis of the disc at right angles to it) to find and track the object under observation. Once set up, it's much easier to use than a photographic tripod as there's only need to adjust one knob to keep the Sun in view.

		Compare this view with 1999. The different orientation is not just the angle of the camera but due to the different direction of motion of the Sun in the southern hemisphere. The Moon always first cuts the Sun's disc at its "leading edge", which is at the top left for a rising Sun in the south but top right in the north.
		As totality approaches we are fervently hoping against hope that the break in the clouds will persist. But it doesn't!
		So near but yet so far! The thinnest sliver of Sun still remained when the gap in the clouds disappeared, taking with it our chance of seeing totality. (This view is at an expanded scale relative to the others)

And there I am, ever hopeful, gazing at the sky. The area around the crescent of the partially-eclipsed Sun has been enlarged so it can better be seen peeping out, teasing us. The massed banks of cloud give a good idea of the situation that morning, and indeed for several days afterwards. I thought it was supposed to be sunny in Africa - not during the rainy season!

		Barely 30secs after totality the sky clears slightly again. Close, but no cigar!!
		As the crescent begins to grow, light returns to the bush and we contemplate what might have been.
		A final view before overcast skies envelope us for the rest of the day.