Hello, dear followers!
Something a little different than my artwork this week. Solar Eclipse 2024! My husband is the astrophotographer and amateur astronomer in our household, and these are his masterpieces from April 8th.
We viewed the Solar Eclipse from Lake Charles State Park in Arkansas, a perfect location for his setup.
As the moon began its journey across the sun, the crowd got excited and a hush fell over the crowd. The process to totality was roughly 1.5 hours. John captured images every few minutes at varying exposures. The sky slowly darkened and the temperature dropped, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and wonder.
The moment the moon covered the sun, transforming the bright orb into a mere sliver of light, was breathtaking. It created a true sense of awe and wonder.
During the fastest 4 minutes ever we were all armed with cameras and smartphones, we immortalized the moment, capturing the breathtaking images of the eclipse and the mesmerizing corona that surrounded the obscured sun.
As the eclipse drew to a close and daylight gradually returned, we couldn’t help but reflect on the profound beauty of the cosmos and our place within it.
In conclusion, our viewing of the solar eclipse at Lake Charles State Park, AR, was an experience we will never forget. From the anticipation leading up to the event to the awe-inspiring moments of totality, it was a journey through the cosmos that left us breathless and filled with wonder. We also enjoyed meeting all the people enjoying the spectacle with us!
Click on an image to open the photo larger.
Here’s John’s High Dynamic Range picture comprised of 8 individual pictures ranging from 1/800s to 1/6s (at ISO 200 at F/6) we combined and processed using the techniques in the “Stacking Brackets” section in this Sky & Telescope article: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/revealing-totality-in-hdr/ When we have more time we plan to delve into the “Revealing Coronal Loops” section. We did this with Adobe Photoshop, but a book, “Totality: Eclipses of the Sun” by Mark Littmann, Fred Espenak, and Ken Wilcox, describes a similar process with Adobe Photoshop Elements, a much cheaper program. John was ecstatic when he noticed we captured 3 stars (Zeta Piscium, a double star, and 88 Piscium) to the left-center and bottom left of the images.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking all or part of the sun’s light.
2. How often do solar eclipses happen?
Partial, annular, or total Solar eclipses occur approximately every 6 months, but their visibility depends on your location.
3. Is it safe to look directly at a solar eclipse?
No, it is not safe to look directly at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection, except during totality.
4. Why are solar eclipses so rare?
Solar eclipses are relatively rare because the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth must be precise for an eclipse to occur.
5. What makes witnessing a solar eclipse special?
Witnessing a solar eclipse is special because it offers a rare glimpse into the celestial dance of our solar system, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of the universe.
6. What should I do with my solar eclipse glasses?
You can use them to look at the sun anytime, not just during solar eclipses. You can also donate your glasses HERE .