Altai Mountains Eclipse Dream

Spectacular total solar eclipse as seen from Altai Mountains at the border region of Russia-Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China. The unique scene is captured above rapid waters of Chuya River on the Russian side of Altai Mountains, a world Heritage site. The giant white rock at left, known as Ak-Bom, is a sacred site for Altai people where they often see shadows of their ancestors riding horses on the white rock. Also notable in this panoramic image are planets Mercury (closer to the sun) and Venus at upper left side of the eclipsed sun. The increased darkening of the sky toward the right indicates the darkened atmosphere created by the passing shadow cone of the total solar eclipse. Click on the second photo to see close-up sequence images of the eclipse through the photographer’s telescope.