York man captures breathtaking Majorca solar eclipse
A YORK man has described witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse while on holiday in Majorca, capturing the dramatic moment in a stunning photograph.
Keen photographer Paul 'Motrz' Mortimer, who has lived in York all his life and runs a tattoo studio in the city, took the image from the sixth-floor balcony of his hotel in Can Pastilla at 8.31pm last night.
Using a Sony A74 camera and a Tamron 50-400mm lens, Paul photographed the eclipse as it unfolded above the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in western Majorca.
Paul said the scene was "like something from a science fiction movie" as the moon slowly moved across the sun, leaving a glowing golden ring around its dark silhouette.
"Thousands of people were gathered on the beach in front of our hotel and everyone cheered when the Diamond Ring appeared," he said.
Paul from York takes perfect eclipse photo from Majorca. By Paul Mortz
"The sun just went out and the blinding sunlight was replaced by a gentle golden sunset-lit corona twisting and rolling eerily around the black moon for 90 seconds, then ‘Baily’s Beads’ showed up, followed by the famous ‘Diamond Ring’ effect then sunlight quickly exploded back into the sky again. "
Paul, who regularly photographs of the Northern Lights in our Press Camera Club on Facebook posted this remarkable photo on the site for readers to enjoy.
He said seeing and photographing the eclipse was an experience he and his wife, Hilary, would never forget.
"It was absolutely mind-blowing and something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives," he said.
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