Photo by Randall Light M.D.

Viewing and Photographing Solar Eclipses

By Randall Light, M.D.

Information about viewing and photographing annular and solar eclipses with a DSLR or mirrorless camera are emphasized. Multiple options for photographing the upcoming eclipse, ranging from simple to complex, are included.

There are three ways to view the presentation slides:

• Scroll through the images below.
• Click the PDF button below.
• Click on any topic to automatically access the corresponding section.

Topics include:

• Basic information about annular and total eclipses
• Selection of a date, time, and location based on the path of the eclipse, climate data, and topology
• Safely viewing an eclipse
• Different ways to view an eclipse with only solar glasses and other basic equipment
• Observing partial phase phenomena
• Observing interesting and unusual phenomena during totality
• Types of photos that can be made during an eclipse
• Photographic equipment requirements
• How to select a camera, lens, and image scale
• Recommended camera settings
• How to focus the camera and lens on the sun
• Timing of the phases of the eclipse
• Timing of the interesting phenomena to photograph during the eclipse
• Suggested initial exposure settings for each eclipse phase and phenomena
• How to create a composite eclipse sequence in Photoshop
• Software to help photograph the eclipse

Randall Light with his solar telescope and setup

Dr. Randall Light's solar eclipse equipment includes a Nikon D850, 600mm lens, Nikon Z8, 180-600mm lens, SolarLite filters on an AP Mach2.

The link below contains a PDF to the visuals used by Dr. Light in his "Viewing and Photographing Solar Eclipses" presentation to the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club.

PDF
Viewing and Photographing Solar Eclipses
Presentation Slides
By Randall Light M.D.

Total Eclipse Explained

total eclipse of sun diagram that illustrates how the moon comes between the earth and the sun for a total eclipse effect

Nodes

timeline of the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse

Annular Eclipse - Phases - October 14, 2003

phases of October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Annular Eclipse - Ring of Fire - October 14, 2003

ring of Fire on October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse with prominence

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Selection Date, Time, and Location Based on the Path of the Eclipse, Climate Data, and Topology

Bryan-College Station
Partial Solar Eclipse - Timeline

Travel to Another Location for Totality

Check the Historical Weather Data

April Median Cloud Amount total solar eclipse for April 8, 2024

Convective Clouds

3 ways heat moves through the atmosphere

Light Polution

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Timeline to Totality

Different Ways to View an Eclipse with Solar Glasses
and Other Basic Equipment

Protect Your Vision

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Pinhole Camera

Pinhole Projector

Protect Your Vision!
If you are going to look at the sun, you must use solar glasses or a solar filter to protect your eyes from damage!

Protect Your Equipment

telescope or long lense on camera with solar filter

unprotected binoculars, exposed color film, polarizing filters, sunglasses, telescope cannot be used for looking at solar eclipse

Safely Viewing an Eclipse

safety first protect your vision and equipment

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

What Can Be Seen Or Observed Without Special Equipment
Interesting Partial Phases Phenomena C1-C2

T-45 min ➝ T-5 min: Projected Crescents
T-45 min ➝ T-5 min: Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows
T-15 min ➝ T-1 min: Dim Steely Metallic Light.
T-15 min ➝ T-1 min: The air will become cooler (8-12 degrees F). The light will be dimmer.
T-15 min ➝ T-1 min: Bird become quieter. Crickets may start chirping.
T-15 min ➝ T-1 min: Bees return to their hive. Farm animals stop grazing.
T-5 min ➝ T-1 min: Rapid Dimming and the Purkinje Effect (Desaturation)
T-2 min ➝ T-1 min: Shadow Bands

Observing Partial Phase Phenomena

T-45 ➝ T-5
Projected Crescents

T-45 ➝ T-5
Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows

Simulated Purkinje Effect Near Totality

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

T-2 ➝ T-1: Shadow Bands

Shadow bands may appear. These are shimmering or rippling bands of light caused by atmospheric turbulence.

https://www.amazingsky.com/

The Umbra

Umbral Direction of Approach

The Umbra Approaches

Umbra From Space

Eclipse Ground Track

The Solar Corona

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Solar Temperature

Solar Wind

Planet Positions

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Types of Photos That can be Made During an Eclipse

What Kind of Eclipse Pictures Can I Make?

Wide Field Images
Wide Field Layered Composites
Close-Up Single Telephoto Images
Close-Up Multiple Telephoto Layered Composites

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Landscape With Wide Angle Lens

Multi-Photo Composite

Close-Up Single Telephoto Image With a Solar Filter

Equipment:

Tripod
Camera of Choice
Lens for Image Scale of 1-3 arc-sec/pix
Solar Filter
Cable Release

Image Exposure:

ISO 200
1/1000 sec
Bracket ±1 stop. 1/500, 1/1000, & 1/2000
f/8

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Observing Interesting and Unusual Phenomena During Totality

Diamond Ring Effect

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Fast Exposures

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Solar Prominence-Chromosphere-Bailey’s Beads

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Fast Exposures

close-up with tracked image with bracketed fast exposure total solar eclipse

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Solar Corona

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Slow Exposures

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Earthshine

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Very Slow Exposures

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Photographic Equipment Requirements

Photography Gear

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

How to Select a Camera, Lens, and Image Scale

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Pick A Lens Based on the Field of View

Low Sunspot Activity

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

High Solar Activity

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Coronal Shape and Size

lens and telescope selection field of view

Lens and Telescope Selection Image Scale

CCD Suitability Calculator

Recommended Camera Settings

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Fixed Camera Settings

How to Focus the Camera and Lens on the Sun

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Establishing A Correct Exposure

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

2017 Total Eclipse Images
Full Frame DSLR, 600mm Lens, SolarLite Filter
ISO 400, 1/500 sec., f/8
Or ISO 200, 1/1000 sec., f/8

Normal Histogram

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Underexposed & Overexposed Histograms

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Under and Overexposure Examples

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Timing of the Phases of the Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse Timing

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Timing of Interesting Phenomena
to Photograph During the Eclipse

C2-1 to C2+1 Be Ready

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Suggested Initial Exposure Settings
for Each Eclipse Phase and Phenomena

How to Create a Composite Eclipse Sequence
in Photoshop

Layered Composite Annular Eclipse Sequence

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Five Layered Close-Up Composite Eclipse Sequence

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Equipment:

Tripod
Camera of Choice
Lens for Image Scale of 1-3 arc-sec/px
Solar Filter
Cable Release

Partial Exposure

ISO 200
1/1000 sec.
f/8
Bracket ±2 stops

Totality Exposure:

ISO 200
1/8 sec.
f/8
Bracket 7F1

Multilayered Close-up Composite Eclipse Sequence

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

How To Create a Composite Eclipse Sequence in Photoshop

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Select Files

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Load Files into a Stack

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Change Blending Mode to "Screen"

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Increase Canvas Size

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Add a Black Background

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Use The Move Tool To Distribute The Images

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Finish Arranging The Images With The Move Tool

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Software to Help Photograph the Eclipse

Photopills

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

Solar Eclipse Timer App

Image Credit: Randall Light M.D.

summary with annular solar eclipse ring of fire

2017 Total Solar Eclipse Animation

Animation Credit: Randall Light M.D.

References

Astronomy Tools Calculator: https://www.astronomy.tools
Baily’s Beads: https://www.alpo-astronomy.org/eclipse/observeeclipses/chapter9.htm
Eclipsophile: https://eclipsophile.com/ase2023/
Eclipse Maps: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipsesGoogleMaps.html
Eclipse Orchestrator: http://eclipseorchestrator.com/products/EclipseOrchestrator/index.shtml
How to Photograph the Solar Eclipses eBook: https://astronomytechnologytoday.com/2023/06/05/how-to-photograph- the-solar-eclipses/
NASA: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses
National Eclipse: https://nationaleclipse.com/overview_2023.html
Annular Eclipse Photography (this presentation) https://www.brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org/newsletters/summer-2023/how-to-photograph-annular-solar-eclipse.html
Photopills: https://www.photopills.com
Photopills Free Eclipse Book: https://www.photopills.com/articles/solar-eclipse-photography-guide
Solar Eclipse Timer: https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/
Space.com: https://www.space.com/annular-solar-eclipse-2023-guide-ring-of-fire
Time and Date: https://www.timeanddate.com
Xjubier Maps: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html

Randy Light MD

About the Author:
Dr. Light is a retired medical neurologist who became a photographer in 1979 and an astrophotographer in 2013 when he retired. He has written articles, given talks, and received awards for his astrophotography.

Website: https://RandallLight.com

Contact: contact@brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org

CONTACT EMAIL:
contact@brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org
Coordinator - Randy Light, M.D.

PROGRAM REQUEST EMAIL:
outreach@brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org
Coordinator - Tom Campbell

GOOGLE DISCUSSION GROUP:
https://groups.google.com
Coordinator - Randy Light, M.D.

Website by Ginger Wentrcek

Member: Astronomical League

Member: Night Sky Network

The Brazos Valley Astronomy Club is a non-profit group located in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Our goal is to promote astronomy and related science as a hobby for people of all ages.

Viewing and Photographing Solar Eclipses

Total Eclipse Explained

Nodes

Annular Eclipse - Phases - October 14, 2003

Annular Eclipse - Ring of Fire - October 14, 2003

Selection Date, Time, and Location Based on the Path of the Eclipse, Climate Data, and Topology

Bryan-College Station Partial Solar Eclipse - Timeline

Travel to Another Location for Totality

Check the Historical Weather Data

Convective Clouds

Light Polution

Timeline to Totality

Different Ways to View an Eclipse with Solar Glasses and Other Basic EquipmentProtect Your Vision

Protect Your Equipment

Safely Viewing an Eclipse

What Can Be Seen Or Observed Without Special EquipmentInteresting Partial Phases Phenomena C1-C2

Observing Partial Phase Phenomena

T-45 ➝ T-5Projected Crescents

T-45 ➝ T-5Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows

Simulated Purkinje Effect Near Totality

T-2 ➝ T-1: Shadow Bands

The Umbra

Umbral Direction of Approach

The Umbra Approaches

Umbra From Space

Eclipse Ground Track

The Solar Corona

Solar Temperature

Solar Wind

Planet Positions

Planet Positions

Types of Photos That can be Made During an Eclipse

What Kind of Eclipse Pictures Can I Make?

Landscape With Wide Angle Lens

Multi-Photo Composite

Close-Up Single Telephoto Image With a Solar Filter

Observing Interesting and Unusual Phenomena During Totality

Diamond Ring Effect

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Fast Exposures

Solar Prominence-Chromosphere-Bailey’s Beads

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Fast Exposures

Solar Corona

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Slow Exposures

Earthshine

Close-Up Tracked Image With Bracketed Very Slow Exposures

Photographic Equipment Requirements

Photography Gear

How to Select a Camera, Lens, and Image Scale

Pick A Lens Based on the Field of View

Low Sunspot Activity

High Solar Activity

Coronal Shape and Size

CCD Suitability Calculator

Recommended Camera Settings

Fixed Camera Settings

How to Focus the Camera and Lens on the Sun

Establishing A Correct Exposure

Normal Histogram

Underexposed & Overexposed Histograms

Under and Overexposure Examples

Timing of the Phases of the Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse Timing

Timing of Interesting Phenomena to Photograph During the Eclipse

C2-1 to C2+1 Be Ready

Suggested Initial Exposure Settingsfor Each Eclipse Phase and Phenomena

How to Create a Composite Eclipse Sequencein Photoshop

Layered Composite Annular Eclipse Sequence

Five Layered Close-Up Composite Eclipse Sequence

How To Create a Composite Eclipse Sequence in Photoshop

Select Files

Load Files into a Stack

Change Blending Mode to "Screen"

Increase Canvas Size

Add a Black Background

Use The Move Tool To Distribute The Images

Finish Arranging The Images With The Move Tool

Software to Help Photograph the Eclipse

Photopills

Solar Eclipse Timer App

2017 Total Solar Eclipse Animation

Bryan-College Station
Partial Solar Eclipse - Timeline

Different Ways to View an Eclipse with Solar Glasses
and Other Basic Equipment

Protect Your Vision

What Can Be Seen Or Observed Without Special Equipment
Interesting Partial Phases Phenomena C1-C2

T-45 ➝ T-5
Projected Crescents

T-45 ➝ T-5
Sharp and Fuzzy Shadows

Timing of Interesting Phenomena
to Photograph During the Eclipse

Suggested Initial Exposure Settings
for Each Eclipse Phase and Phenomena

How to Create a Composite Eclipse Sequence
in Photoshop