#42: Calibrating For The Solar Eclipse ☀️🌑🌎
Wish Me Luck 🫡
After a wonderful week in NYC, visiting art shows and discussing the future of technology, I am now in full solar eclipse preparation mode.
I spent the day running through my data-capture sequences (aka bracketed timelapse calculations and measurements) and my star-tracking equipment. Calibrating.
The lunar eclipses I have photographed in the past were nothing compared to tomorrow’s (hopefully not clouded-out) solar eclipse.
For context, the cover photo was taken over the course of about 5 hours, with the moon spending 2+ hours in totality (the shadow of the earth).
For tomorrow’s solar eclipse, the moon will spend maximum of 4 minutes in totality (but more like 3 where I am).
That doesn’t leave a lot of time to capture photos, especially during one of the most rapidly-changing, light-altering natural phenomenons we’ve ever come across as humans.
If you want to learn more about how I shoot these types of astro events, I have two guides here:
How To Shoot A Bracketed Timelapse - Lunar Eclipse
The sun is an entirely different subject to try and capture because of how incredibly bright it is. I am literally pointing a telephoto camera lens at our star.
If you are able to see the solar eclipse at all, I highly recommend taking the time to experience it - WITH PROPER SOLAR GLASSES.
Looking at the solar eclipse can blind you and can melt your camera if you do not have a solar filter on it. If you are at all confused at how or why this happens, please do some research.
The last solar eclipse we experienced here was a partial one.
The total solar eclipse is an entirely different experience. The sun literally goes out. It's unlike any other natural phenomenon we experience.
With all that said, it's entirely possible that I will be clouded-out and will not be able to see the eclipse.
Such is life 😌
That's what makes astro such an incredibly humbling and awesome pursuit, moments of true clarity are rare.
That's It 😊
I'm keeping this one short today to keep my mind focused on tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes ✨
If you're able to see the eclipse, I wish you clear skies 🌌
Did you take any pictures?!!