"RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS" (ROFE)
While all of RING OF FIRE total solar eclipse expeditions travel to the center line to obtain maximum totality, we also have a small secondary expedition to observe near the edge of the path of totality. We also observe annular eclipses and will observe either from the edge where Baily's Beads phenomena are wonderfully prevelant, or the center line. We strive to keep the group sizes reasonable; sometimes the overall demand exceeds our expectations. For our larger expeditions we conduct a site survey in order to obtain the best possible observing locations, with tour group safety as our primary concern. Future Travel (formerly Hanssen Future Travel) has handled all expeditions since 1977.
Chuck Herold demonstrates Celestron and video projection of an eclipse (1984) in remote places such as Papua, New Guinea proving that most off-the-shelf equipment could be transported overseas and successfully used.
All annular eclipse expeditions are sent to the edge where our science team videotapes the dramatic Baily’s Beads phenomenon. Data is used by the International Occultation Timing Association to determine information on changes in the solar radius between eclipses. However, tour participants can do whatever they choose during the eclipse. Choices range from just looking at the spectacle, to photography, video, shadow band monitoring, tracking wind speed and temperature changes, effects of wildlife (insects, birds, local people), etc.
Gail Schneider (Houston, Texas), directly under the moon's shadow as she photographs an all sky globe during the great total solar eclipse of July 11, 1991.
Some expeditions feature NASA astronauts as tour escorts and guest speakers that promote and stimulate interest in astronomy.
Space Shuttle astronaut and amateur astronomer Claude Nicollier (far right) was part of our team in Curacao in 1998, Peru in 1995 and Mexico in 1991.
Space Shuttle astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman and his wife share a private moment just as totality ends in July 1991 at our observation site at the Santiago Ixcuintla, Mexico airport. Note the moon's shadow is still on the clouds in the right side of the photo!
Japanese mission specialist Takao Doi and his wife await the July 1991 total solar eclipse at Santiago Ixcuintla, Mexico.
Paul D. Maley, Organizer of Ring of Fire Expeditions has led all of the following expeditions and those for many other astronomical events not listed here. Our past solar eclipse expeditions are numbered only for total and annular eclipses since partials are not considered.
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Beijing, China 1997 |
Stromboli Volcano 1997 |
| (1) 1970 USA | Total eclipse |
| (2) 1972 Quebec | Total eclipse |
| (3) 1973 Mexico | Annular eclipse |
| (4) 1977 Colombia | Total eclipse |
| (5) 1979 Canada | Total eclipse |
| (6) 1980 Kenya | Total eclipse |
| (7) 1983 Indonesia | Total eclipse |
| (8) 1984 USA | Annular-total eclipse |
| (9) 1984 New Guinea | Total eclipse |
| (10) 1987 Gabon | Annular-total eclipse |
| (11) 1987 China | Annular eclipse |
| (12) 1991 New Zealand | Annular eclipse |
| (13) 1991 Mexico | Total eclipse |
| (14) 1992 Truk | Annular eclipse |
| (15) 1994 USA | Annular eclipse |
| (16) 1994 Peru | Total eclipse |
| (17) 1995 Peru | Annular eclipse |
| (18) 1995 India | Total eclipse |
| (19) 1997 Mongolia | Total eclipse |
| (20) 1998 Aruba/Curacao | Total eclipse |
| (21) 1998 Malaysia | Annular eclipse |
| (22) 1999 Australia | Annular eclipse |
| (23) 1999 Turkey | Total eclipse |
| (24) 2001 Zambia | Total eclipse |
| (25) 2001 Costa Rica | Annular eclipse |
| (26) 2002 Marianas Islands | Annular eclipse |
| (27) 2002 Mozambique | Total eclipse |
| (28) 2003 Iceland | Annular eclipse |
| (29) 2003 Antarctica | Total eclipse |
| (30) 2005 Panama | Annular eclipse |
| (31) 2005 Algeria | Annular eclipse |
You can also read about some of our PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS
The ROFE group in Greenland just prior to the annular eclipse 2003.
Our camp in Zambia June 2001.
The team on our hillside observation point in Turkey 1999.
Some of our group in Malaysia at the annular eclipse 1998
Our ROFE group at Darhan, Mongolia with police 1997.
Occultation team in Venezuela 1996.
Our ROFE group in India (November, 1995) after the eclipse.
In the Amazon after a successful annular eclipse observation April 1995
On the pier in Truk at 3am waiting to take a boat to Otta Island for the annular eclipse 1992.
On the beach in Mexico after the grand eclipse of July 11, 1991
At the annular eclipse on North Island, New Zealand 1991.
The science team and onlookers in China 1987
In La Serena, Chile for Halley's Comet 1986.
Science team at Kwikila, Papua New Guinea 1984.
Members of our eclipse team and supporters in Indonesia 1983
Lake Guatavita, Colombia in 1977.
On the cliff overlooking Acapulco, Mexico at the annular sunrise eclipse December 1973.
At Cap Chat, Quebec Canada total eclipse 1972.
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