Solar eclipse - 2024

[Blackink]

It's probably still not too late to order glasses off Amazon. I ordered mine on Saturday and got them Tuesday. Just make sure you test them, to make sure they're legit.

As a backup, I also ordered direct from American Paper Wear (shipped 2-day priority mail) and they arrived yesterday:

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https://ampaperwear.com/collections...lipse-glasses-for-2023-24-retail-ready-6-pack​

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I'm surprised your local chamber of commerce or town clerk doesn't have some.
Here in Central Vermont, all types of businesses are giving them away!!!

 

[bit_user]

I'm surprised your local chamber of commerce or town clerk doesn't have some.
Here in Central Vermont, all types of businesses are giving them away!!!

That's cool.

I don't live in a small town, nor are we in the path of totality.

 

[USAFRet]

Forecast is "Mostly Sunny" here.

I still have glasses left over from 2017, but bought another 10 pack anyway. Will distribute some at work Monday morn.

Now, for a bit of WTF:

Dude at work says:
"I read they had to adjust the time a little bit, because the Moon is going to be in the way"

'ummm...the Moon being in the way is the whole point of the eclipse. Thats how it works'

 

[kanewolf]

Forecast is "Mostly Sunny" here.

I still have glasses left over from 2017, but bought another 10 pack anyway. Will distribute some at work Monday morn.

Now, for a bit of WTF:

Dude at work says:
"I read they had to adjust the time a little bit, because the Moon is going to be in the way"

'ummm...the Moon being in the way is the whole point of the eclipse. Thats how it works'

I took my solar filter out for a test drive today. I ran into an issue I hadn't expected. The tripod wouldn't tilt UP enough.... I had to swing the camera around so that the control handle was pointing to the sun to get enough UP tilt.

 

[bit_user]

Dude at work says:
"I read they had to adjust the time a little bit, because the Moon is going to be in the way"

'ummm...the Moon being in the way is the whole point of the eclipse. Thats how it works'

Either he was joking, or retelling something he heard that was intended as a joke. Either way, all you can do is LOL.

 

[bit_user]

I took my solar filter out for a test drive today. I ran into an issue I hadn't expected. The tripod wouldn't tilt UP enough.... I had to swing the camera around so that the control handle was pointing to the sun to get enough UP tilt.

You could also shorten a couple of the legs, assuming they're the collapsible/telescoping kind.

 

[USAFRet]

Either he was joking, or retelling something he heard that was intended as a joke. Either way, all you can do is LOL.

He probably misheard something, but he was being "serious".

 

[kanewolf]

You could also shorten a couple of the legs, assuming they're the collapsible/telescoping kind.

When you are 6ft 2, you need ALL the tripod height you can get. I guess I could work out of a chair ...

 

[bit_user]

When you are 6ft 2, you need ALL the tripod height you can get.

You could bring something sturdy to prop up a couple of the legs on.

 

[Blackink]

I've learned a couple of things while taking pictures of the sun in order to get ready for this eclipse:
I look through the view finder rather than the looking at the monitor/live view. For me, I find I can get better focused pictures of the sun this way.

I also open up a patio umbrella similar to this: patio umbrella
I put that umbrella to just above my height with the camera on my tripod and I attach a dark towel, 3' wide (or so) to hang down from the umbrella and have that towel laying over the top of my camera lens. That towel helps keep the sun out of the area my camera is at so I see my camera settings better, that plus it helps when I'm looking through the view finder to take the pictures.
I did use a small diameter bungee cord once to bungee it around the camera when the wind was blowing to help keep it from getting in front of the lens and partially covering it at times.

I'm hoping all this preparation comes in handy the day and times of when the eclipse happens:
Start of partial eclipse (C1): 2:15:03 pm
Start of total eclipse (C2): 3:27:47 pm
Maximum eclipse (MAX/Totality): 3:28:30 pm
End of total eclipse (C3): 3:29:12 pm
End of partial eclipse (C4): 4:37:56 pm

 

[bit_user]

I look through the view finder rather than the looking at the monitor/live view. For me, I find I can get better focused pictures of the sun this way.

I've heard that's not safe, though they didn't say why. I wonder if it's because the camera's sun filter doesn't necessarily block as much light as eclipse eyeglasses would? Anyway, just thought I'd pass that along.

I'm hoping all this preparation comes in handy the day and times of when the eclipse happens:
Start of partial eclipse (C1): 2:15:03 pm
Start of total eclipse (C2): 3:27:47 pm
Maximum eclipse (MAX/Totality): 3:28:30 pm
End of total eclipse (C3): 3:29:12 pm
End of partial eclipse (C4): 4:37:56 pm

I hope everyone is aware those times are location-specific.

 

[Blackink]

I've heard that's not safe, though they didn't say why. I wonder if it's because the camera's sun filter doesn't necessarily block as much light as eclipse eyeglasses would? Anyway, just thought I'd pass that along.

Hmmmm. I've been looking at full sun for several days now in the last 3 weeks through the view finder taking pictures of the sun for practice for the big day. My eyes seem OK so far. I think I'll be OK.
I have this lens filter on: K&F Filter

I hope everyone is aware those times are location-specific.

Yes, those times are for Central Vermont. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Blackink]

I took my solar filter out for a test drive today. I ran into an issue I hadn't expected. The tripod wouldn't tilt UP enough.... I had to swing the camera around so that the control handle was pointing to the sun to get enough UP tilt.

Finding that issue out when you did was probably better than finding out just before the eclipse....

 

[COLGeek]

Conditions will be iffy in my neck of the woods. Currently forecast as partly cloudy.

Tomorrow is setup day for the telescope.

 

[Blackink]

I think now that the weather is looking better here in New England for Monday-clear skies, I feel this will bring even more traffic up this way....

 

[USAFRet]

 

[Blackink]

High thin clouds are expected in our area today, Central Vermont. Coming from the West.
Not sure if they'll hold off long enough to view the total eclipse but we will see a good portion of it.

Head to New Hampshire or Maine to get a clear view with NO clouds.

A bummer for those states that will be cloud covered, which look like several from this mornings weather outlook.

 

[COLGeek]

Skies good, so far. Telescope setup and looked at sun spots a bit already. I'm kicking myself for not getting a CCD. Hoping for a good viewing today.

 

[USAFRet]

Clear skies here.

Also, this:
https://www.univision.com/especiale...s/2024/eclipse-solar-2024-en/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

[Order 66]

Ok, so, is it safe to take a picture of the eclipse with my iPhone 14 plus, or will I ruin my camera?

 

[kanewolf]

Ok, so, is it safe to take a picture of the eclipse with my iPhone 14 plus, or will I ruin my camera?

I would treat it like any other camera and use a solar filter. The lens size of a cell phone should allow you to use an extra pair of solar glasses to cover the lens.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, so, is it safe to take a picture of the eclipse with my iPhone 14 plus, or will I ruin my camera?

May we assume you do NOT have some sort of solar filter?

If not, you may indeed kill your phone camera.

 

[Order 66]

May we assume you do NOT have some sort of solar filter?

Correct.

If not, you may indeed kill your phone camera.

what exactly kills it? I've looked at the sun in my phone's camera before, and nothing has happened.

 

[USAFRet]

what exactly kills it? I've looked at the sun in my phone's camera before, and nothing has happened.

From the 2017 partial eclipse, my Fuji has a teeny melted spot next to the actual sensor. This is WITH using a valid solar filter.
It was pointed at the sun too long.

It wasn't on the actual sensor, but damage occurred.

 

[Order 66]

From the 2017 partial eclipse, my Fuji has a teeny melted spot next to the actual sensor. This is WITH using a valid solar filter.
It was pointed at the sun too long.

It wasn't on the actual sensor, but damage occurred.

Ok, but if I’m just pointing it at the sun for a few seconds, it should be fine, right?