Annular Solar Eclipse 15th Jan-2010 Light Intensity Experiment

ASE 2010

We had a wonderful time in Rameshwaram - Dhanushkodi. The Annular Eclipse trip was a huge success and we got some amazing views. Around 50 members of ABAA (Association of Bangalore Amateur Astronomers) were present at the venue. Activities performed were

1. Viewing the eclipse through Solar filters

2. Photographing the eclipse

3. Videographing the eclpse

4. Measure variation in light intensity and temperature during the eclipse

Equipments used:

100-400L lens

5"Maksutov

50-500mm lens

6" Maksutov

6" f/7 Equatorial

8" f/8 Equatorial

6" f/8 Dobsonian

Welding Helmet

Many Nikon Film SLRs

Nikon D50 DSLR

Canon 400D, 450D, 50D DSLRs

Handycams

Many digicams, solar goggles, welding glasses(#13) and so on.

Solar Filters Used:

Seymour Solar filter

Thousand Oaks solar filter

Baader Filter

Mylar filter

I used 8" f/8 equatorial with Thousand oaks solar filter and Subramanya sir's 6" f/7 telescope with Baader filter for photographing the sun.

Here are some photos of the same. Please leave your comments.

12:02 - Moon is slowly eclipsing the sun. There were some sun spots too.

12:23 - The moon is about to eclipse the sun spots.

12:41 - The sunspots are covered by moon.

12:50 - Halfway through the eclipse

13:05 - Sun was getting narrower. There was considerable change in light by this time.

13:16 - Approaching annularity

13:17 - Ring completed.

13:19 - Ring of fire through Baader filter

13:20: Another photo of the ring of fire

13:21 - Ring of fire through Thousand Oaks solar filter

13:22 - Ring of fire almost symmetric.

13:23

13:24 - Annular eclipse through Baader filter

13:25 - Annular eclipse through Baader filter

13:30 - Moon has passed over the sun.

13:42

13:54 - Last eclipse photo Keerthi took with Baader filter.

Keerthi and his gear - 8" f/8 Newtonian with Thousand Oaks Black Polymer filter. Thanks Nagaraj for the only photo of Keerthi :)

Black hood used to get good focus.

Viji's Welding Helmet was an attraction.

People seeing eclipse live on LCD screen of Keerthi's camera.

Some of them wanted to photograph.

Mr. Subramanya thinking which filter to use.

I got a lot of support from many members of ABAA especially Mr. Subramanya who planned the logistics for the trip and also allowed me to take pictures through his 6" f/7 scope.

Measurement of the change in light intensity was done by Jayanth and Rahul of ABAA.

The experiment was very successful. It was noted that the light intensity at the time of maximum eclipse was 11% as that of the full sun. This tallied with the photographical data of the illuminated sun (10.7%) calculated by me.

All pictures are copyrighted ©, anybody found copying will be punished.

Astronomy

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