1999 Hungary
castLe near Lake Balaton
“I found our host Andras thru a Budapest University astro connection. I met astronomer Perry Hacking at the Baja eclipse. He sadly had just had a failed space mission he created & invested years captaining, so I told him to rally & meet me in Hungary —
we are going! ”
Mission: To bag eclipse #4, first with partner Perry.
Posse: Michael Aisner, Dr. Perry Hacking, host Andreas Szell, Stewart L. Foehl
Contact: September 8, 1999
Path: Europe
Eclipse Base: At a 1000 year-old castle near Lake Balaton, Hungary
Weather: Crystal clear
Awakened middle of night by thunderous claps & lightning, TORRENTIAL rain -- oh no! Perry rejiggered our plan, pouring over maps to sent us north to this ancient castle way high on a hill, where he, andras, stewart & I set up.
below us -- some bizarre noisy ritual -- weird costumes & a massive python. and then....it all went silent except for ahhhh's. The last 30 seconds CHILLING as the light dumped ACROSS the scape & STEWART jumped.
We got this one!
PERFECT DAY What a CREW!
Photos: Michael Aisner & eclipse shot from Perry Hacking.