Observing Session of
Hybrid Total/Annular Eclipse of the Sun

Observed as Very Slight Partial Solar Eclipse at
Christina Alley Observatory, East Pittsburgh PA
2005 April 8

Detailed observations of this very slight Partial Solar Eclipse were made at the Christina Alley Observatory in the Pittsburgh suburb of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Director of this private observatory, Francis G. Graham, is Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Kent State University (who works at both the main campus in Kent, Ohio and the East Liverpool Campus in East Liverpool, Ohio), Founder of the American Lunar Society, a former long-time (most of the 1980s) Planetarium Lecturer at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, and a member of the Steering Committee of Friends of the Zeiss (new non-profit organization working for the preservation and use of the original building, equipment, and artifacts of the original Buhl Planetarium). Professor Graham was accompanied by his wife and three colleagues in this observation.

The telescope used for these observations (observations made using projection method of display of image), the primary instrument of the Christina Alley Observatory, is Professor Graham's 16-centimeter (objective lens of approximately 6.5 inches aperture) f/15 refractor telescope. Although this telescope is normally stationed inside the Observatory, for this event the telescope was mounted just outside of the Observatory, as the Observatory building was undergoing repairs at the time. It is not unusual for this telescope to be used for observations in other locations. On 2004 June 8, this telescope was one of four instruments (three telescopes and a set of large binoculars) set-up for Pittsburgh's only public observation session, with telescopes, of the historic Transit of the Planet Venus Across the Image of the Sun, mounted at the public observation deck of The Duquesne Incline in the Duquesne Heights section of Mount Washington.

As a result of his observations of this solar eclipse, Professor Graham issued two reports:

Graham, Francis "A LOOK BACK TO APRIL 8, 2005." Blog: Meridian Passage 1229.
Electronic Mail Blog 2011 April 8.

Other Hybrid Eclipse Information
From the NASA Web Site

The telescope used, displayed in the second photograph on the right (below on some browsers), is Professor Francis G. Graham's 16-centimeter (objective lens of approximately 6.5 inches aperture) f/15 refractor telescope, which is normally stationed at the Christina Alley Observatory (but sometimes moved to other locations for special events). Although normally used inside the Observatory, this telescope was mounted just outside of the Observatory (part of Observatory building can be seen just to the left of the telescope), as the Observatory building was undergoing repairs at the time of the eclipse.

The white house directly behind the observers, in the second photograph, is the residence of Professor Graham, which has been declared the oldest house in the Borough of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. This house was constructed circa 1883 for Professor Graham's great-great grandfather Dennis Falvey. This approximate date of construction is documented by a circa 1883 photograph showing Mr. Falvey and a little girl, Mary Falvey (daughter of Dennis Falvey and Professor Graham's great grandmother), with the newly built house.

The photograph on the left (top photo on some browsers) shows Francis G. Graham, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Kent State University, Founder of the American Lunar Society, and Director of the Christina Alley Observatory. Professor Graham, who was a Planetarium Lecturer during most of the 1980s at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, is shown in front of the Planetarium Control Console for Buhl Planetarium's Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, in this 1982 September photograph.

The other observers who participated in the 2005 April 8 Solar Eclipse observations are shown in the second photograph. From left to right, they are John D. Weinhold (former Buhl Planetarium Observatory Volunteer), Glenn A. Walsh (former Buhl Planetarium Observatory Coordinator and Planetarium Lecturer), Theresa M. Graham (in the foreground), and William Blake Hall. This photograph was taken by Professor Graham.