2010 Total Solar Eclipse on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) 
Astronomical Tours Ancient Civilizations tour - TRAVEL BLOG:

Michael Bakich, Senior Editor at Astronomy Magazine: 
- Blog of Astronomical Tours' 2010 Eclipse Trip to Easter Island via the Ancient Civilizations program.

Senior editor off to Easter Island
Posted Fri, Jul 2 2010 08:38 AM by Michael Bakich

The next total solar eclipse will happen July 11 across the southern Pacific Ocean and a small part of southernmost South America. Depending on the weather, I and perhaps a few thousand others may see the Moon cover the Sun in the daytime.

As the lead astronomer for a trip organized by Astronomical Tours, I, along with my wife, Holley, embark Saturday on a journey through Bolivia and Chile to Easter Island to see the eclipse. ... (cont...)

Michael Bakich

Michael Bakich has been fascinated by the stars all his life. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in astronomy from the Ohio State University. He attended Michigan State University, where he received a master of arts degree in planetarium education. During the last two decades, he has worked in seven planetarium and has served as a consultant in the planetarium field. He joined Astronomy as associate editor. He has written three books for Cambridge University Press. His first book was The Cambridge Guide to the Constellations. The planets were the focus of his second book, The Cambridge Planetary Handbook. Michael's latest book, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Amateur Astronomy, deals with all aspects of amateur astronomy.


Senior editor reaches Chile
Posted Thu, Jul 8 2010 10:11 AM by Michael Bakich

I have temporary Internet access, so I thought I’d post a note. We didn’t have much access through Bolivia, as those of you reading my tweets and Facebook status updates might have noticed (sorry to bunch up all the updates like that). I think our access will be fine from now on.

Fabulous trip so far. This is the best group I’ve ever traveled with.... (cont...)

On the Road: 2010 eclipse trip — Arica, Chile
Posted Fri, Jul 9 2010 12:04 PM by Michael Bakich

Our trip to stand under the Sun on Easter Island continues essentially without a hitch. Thursday, we drove through Chile’s Atacama Desert. What a fantastic experience! The contrast of the lifeless desert and a deep-blue sky was amazing.

Today from our hotel in Arica, we take a city tour,.. (cont...)

On the Road: 2010 eclipse on Easter Island
Posted Mon, Jul 12 2010 09:23 AM by Michael Bakich

I woke up yesterday (July 11) to rain, then a bit of blue sky, then more rain. Our meteorologist from Holland, Harry, predicted mostly clear skies at eclipse time. Well, he was right!

The eclipse happened as our group and about 1,000 other lucky souls watched this exercise of sublime celestial geometry in wide-eyed wonder. (cont...)

On the Road: Easter Island and the Moai
Posted Tue, Jul 13 2010 09:21 AM by Michael Bakich

Monday, July 12, may have been the most relaxing day of my life. Why? Because the day before, our eclipse expedition group on Easter Island saw this year’s total solar eclipse. As the astronomer on this trip, I felt some tension leading up to the celestial event. But now that we’ve seen it, the pressure is off. Everyone loves me! (OK, everyone likes me.) And they were even willing to share some more pictures of the eclipse with Astronomy readers.

The three dozen in our group were still buzzing about the eclipse as we embarked on a tour of the eastern side of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). (cont...)

July 11, 2010, total solar eclipse from Easter Island. Jeff Houpt photo

2010 eclipse pictures from Easter Island
Posted Mon, Jul 12 2010 10:42 AM by Karri Ferron

One of the members of Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich's 2010 solar eclipse tour group was nice enough to send in some pictures from July 11's total solar eclipse over Easter Island. Thanks, Jeff Houpt! (cont...

On the Road: Easter Island touring
Posted Wed, Jul 14 2010 11:56 AM by Michael Bakich

Tuesday, July 13, was an unusual winter day on Easter Island — it didn’t rain on us. Because the weather was favorable, we got to see some sites we missed the first day we were here. First was the volcanic crater at the southwestern edge of the island. Our busses dropped us off at its foot, intending for us to get a quick look before driving us to the top. Several of us, however, started off on the narrow trail and hiked to the summit. Because we were near sea level, this trek sure was easier than any we experienced in Bolivia. It’s amazing what twice as much oxygen in your lungs will let you do.

The crater was beautiful. It houses its own ecosystem, ( cont...