Mark K
Canis Major
LX200GPS UHTC/SMT
Posts: 75
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Post by Mark K on Sept 27, 2005 20:48:55 GMT
I'll also be at work, but as i start around 7am, i should have earned a well deserved break around 8:30/9:00 LOL.... i have a perfectly clear unobstructed view to the sunrise as well, but will be observing visually only, but will bring my camera anyway. Thanks for implementing the observing sessions idea Mark. Lets hope we all get together some night for a good viewing. Weather tonight seems semi clear, but there seems to be a lot of low cloud around here, so i'll hardly be taking out the scope tonight. You were right about last friday, the atmospherics were causing a lot of focus problems here. I suppose the colder nights will help??? ( i hope )
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Post by Phil on Sept 27, 2005 22:59:22 GMT
Ordered the solar filter, should be here in a day or two!! Mark, any luck on a site yet?...I could supply the wireless broadband but the eastern horizon is out.... sorry!!!
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Post by Phil on Sept 28, 2005 12:59:34 GMT
Filter arrived...Great!!!! Now all I need is one of those new cloud filters and i'm ready to go!!!
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Post by weathergirl on Sept 29, 2005 21:06:26 GMT
The last eclipse visible from the British Isles, on May 2003, began at sunrise and was annular in the far north of Scotland. This years eclipse starts at the more reasonable hour of around 08:50 BST for most locations and reaches maximum at aroun 10:00. Its trend is opposite to the last event: the magnitude of the eclipse is smallest in the northest and greatest in the southwest, but it will not exceed 75% in magnitude anywhere in Britain except for the Scilly Isles. Given to clear skies, the eclipse will be visible from the whole of the UK and Ireland. The sun will be quite low at the start of the eclipse (only about 9o above the horizon in the west of Ireland, and about 15o up in East Anglia), so to see the start make sure you have a good view to the south east. By the time of maximum eclipse the wsun will be higher in the south east. The greatest eclipse will be visible from Lands end and southwest Ireland, where its almost 75%, and the Scilly Isles, where it will reach 76%. PA gives the position of the start of the eclipse, measured clockwise from north on the suns disk. Sunrise is about 06:10 UT-06:20 UT: is later the further west and North you go. The old moon rises around eight minutes before the sun but cannot be seen this close to the sun.
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 30, 2005 21:23:42 GMT
I am really looking forward to this event now! Its not far away Any further info on the cloud situation for Monday morning? Good luck everyone and i hope you all have a fantastic session. Maybe the more expericenced astrophotographers would like to put up a post on how to image the eclipse and on the various methods of safe solar observing? Clear skies!
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Post by markdj on Sept 30, 2005 23:01:10 GMT
Is this what you're looking for? www.eaas.co.uk/news/solar_observing.htmlI just plucked that link from the archive on the NEWS page Weather forecast is looking good. Philip, John and Neil are coming round here to Comber to observe, not sure if anyone else is available on Monday morning. Mark
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 30, 2005 23:38:53 GMT
Thanks for that Mark Any info on partial eclipse photography? Would i be able to get 'naked eye' images with my basic digital camera? Thanks
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Post by markdj on Oct 1, 2005 9:09:58 GMT
Using your digital camera, you need a solar filter over the lens and over any optical viewfinder if you have one. A tripod and timer exposure is the only way to get steady images. Try prefocusing if possible first then change to manual focus so the focus doesn't change. Your best option is to use a digital camera adapter to clamp the camera to the eyepiece. Cloud filters are available only to those who attend the eaas observing session on Monday :-) www.eaas.co.uk/cf.htmlClear Skies Mark
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Post by johnmc9929 on Oct 1, 2005 18:16:45 GMT
Martin, if there happens to be high or thin cloud you can probably use the cloud as a filter, but be very mindful that a partial eclipse is not a total. Even pointing your camera at the unfiltered Sun can be dangerous, (and is not advisable unless you take extreme caution) not only to yourself but the camera as well. If you try a "naked eye" view the image of the Sun will be tiny by just using the camera alone. Filter the scope and try hand held shots, experiment by bringing down the stops to cut down on glare. Using this method you should get a result. You do not need to try and get a detailed image of any sunspots, you are trying to get the eclipsed Sun. This is the method I shall be using, and if I get a few passable shots then I'll be happy!
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Oct 1, 2005 18:27:31 GMT
Thanks very much for your advice John, i will take it on board!
Are you planning on using the webcam on Monday morning?
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Post by markdj on Oct 1, 2005 19:29:22 GMT
Unfortunately, the field of view of a webcam is too small to be used with a telescope although I know Paul Evans has modified a manual SLR so that he can use his 50mm lenses with a webcam. Jan Timmermans has also done this and has successfully imaged with decent results. My idea for the webcast is to use the Orion ED80mm but if the forecast is looking really good then I'll setup the Meade as well and use it with the 6.3 focal reducer and 300d.
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Post by johnmc9929 on Oct 1, 2005 20:18:59 GMT
I won't be using the webcam. As Mark has already said,the image only gives you a tiny section of the Sun. I shall probably just try some hand held shots.
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Post by markdj on Oct 1, 2005 22:26:19 GMT
Don't forget to charge your batteries and clear your memory cards of any old photos before Monday and get ready the night before!!!
Clear Skies All
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Post by weathergirl on Oct 2, 2005 9:42:47 GMT
Camera! Charger! all charged! Although the weather doesnt look good on the bright side
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Oct 2, 2005 17:43:21 GMT
I sure hope the weather is better tommorow morning than it is now..getting worried! Everyone else on the weather forums is forecasting clouds tommorow and a low chance of seeing the eclipse Im now very worried...
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