Well, this is the reason we came to Page, AZ. Image taken at about 18:34 when the moon was close to maximum eclipse. It was magnificent!
I used my Canon SX40HS camera fitted with a Rainbow Symphony solar filter. The camera settings were F2.7, 1/1600′ and ISO 3200 film speed. Click on the image to enlarge.
Today’s the first leg of our excursion to Page, AZ to witness the May 20, 2012 annular eclipse of the Sun. We had a good trip that took us from our Wickenburg home, through the Saguaro forests along AZ SR 74 to I-17, thence north to Flagstaff, where we set up camp for the night among the tall conifer trees. Tomorrow, we head towards the ultimate destination with a few scenic stops along the way. Click on the image to enlarge.
I ordered some solar filters for all of our cameras so we can try to get images of the annular solar eclipse in May. The filters aren’t very substantial since they are made with cardboard tubing and have polymer filters, but they are cost-effective (~$10 each) and they work.
The filters come with an adhesive felt liner that you install to allow a snug fit when you slip the filter over the objective lens of the camera. Once installed, the filter doesn’t interfere with the auto-focus mechanisms nor with any other camera function.
Image: Solar filter slipped over my Canon SX-40 with inset of solar photo – click to enlarge
After some experimentation, I found that trying to use the cameras in auto modes (other than auto-focus) does not give good results; camera motion would blur most images. I tried using a tripod, but getting the image centered in the camera was taking too long. The eclipse would be over before getting all the proper adjustments.
I finally settled on using the camera in manual mode where you can independently set the film speed, aperture and shutter speed. I settled on ISO 3200 film speed, F5.6 for the aperture and 1/1250 second shutter speed. Holding the camera in my hands, the image was good enough to resolve sunspot 1445 currently transiting the solar surface. I uploaded a large image of the sun to the image viewer. Click on the link to view.
I checked the PO Box today and lo and behold, the custom Eclipse Shades had arrived. The minimum order for this item is 25 each. No problem – if there are people at the campground that need a pair, we’ll hand ’em out. We will also hand out some to our Wickenburg neighbors who will get a partial eclipse that day if they stay here in town.
I tried to hold one of the lens filters in front of the camera today, and that didn’t work out, so I’ll be in the market for a lens filter. I’ll also need one for Damsel’s SLR. Since the eclipse will occur near sunset, perhaps a filter may not be required.
Meanwhile, the new travel trailer will be ready for us to take possession tomorrow. We will probably tow it home and park it in our RV drive while Damsel and I get it ready for the eclipse trip. We’re also planning to tow it later this month to our friends’ place in Earp, CA, down by the Colorado River near Parker, AZ. That will be a good shakedown for us.
Since February, we have modified our plans to view the Great Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012. We originally thought that we would like to view the eclipse from Chinle, AZ, near Canyon de Chelly National Park. That would have been nice, but although the RV campgrounds in that area are nice, they don’t offer full hookups for the new travel trailer (electric, water, sewer). So, we redirected our target to another Arizona location near the center line of the eclipse path: Page, AZ, near Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.
I called the campground and confirmed our reservations for the nights of May 19 and 20. The eclipse will occur near sundown on the 20th. If the weather cooperates, we should have front-row seats for the show. I also ordered custom eclipse shades specifically printed for for the 2012 event from Rainbow Symphony.
We also planned a few other stops to maximize our journey into Northern Arizona. Don’t forget that there are some other attractions nearby, such as Grand Canyon, Wupatki, Sunset Crater and lots of Apache and Navajo sights. It’s going to be fun.
As Jack Horkheimer used to say (before passing) “keep Looking Up.” That’s why we’re starting to plan for a fairly short trip in May to witness an annular solar eclipse. The path of maximum eclipse extends from Asia, across the Pacific and then through the western United States. The path in Arizona will pass over Page and continue into New Mexico to Albuquerque.
Image: Path of maximum annular eclipse. Click to enlarge
Our target destination will be to go to Chinle, AZ, adjacent to the Canyon De Chelly National Park. In the image, you can see that the red path goes right over Navajo land and just along the southern part of the national park. Our plan is to tow a travel trailer to the area and find a place to camp after the eclipse that will occur on May 20, 2012.
I’m ordering some eclipse shades and a solar filter for each of our two cameras for the event. We are hoping for some excellent pictures of one of the most spectacular events to happen on Earth.
This extraordinary photo of the sun captured a partial solar eclipse and a split second solar transit of the ISS. Hat tip SpaceWeather and APOD. Click on image to see full sized (1040×1040).
