Picture of the Eclipse with a Cellphone

Several people have ask me about taking a picture of the eclipse using a cellphone. There are several problems that arise. The first is if you do not have a proper solar filter covering the lens of the cellphone camera during the partial phase DO NOT try it.!!!There is a very good chance that you will fry your cellphone camera's detector. However during totality, when you remove your solar glasses, you can attempt to take an image of the eclipsed Sun. The second problem is one of focal length. Below you see two images of the Sun...one taken with a cellphone at maximum zoom the other image is taken with a 600 mm focal length lens...both with proper solar filters attached...guess which is which?? Go ahead an try you never know what you might capture! Some cellphones have great zooming capabilities. Try zooming in on the Moon this week to see how big an image your cellphone camera can display. 17 days until the eclipse!

18 days until the Eclipse...Let the packing begin!!

All testing has been completed and the equipment is now in bins..a total of 10 bins! The satellite ground station will be the last piece of equipment to be packed up. Linda is coordinating base camp organization. Elise and Wyatt are planning special meals for the entire base camp group the day and night before the eclipse. The grand kids are getting excited. Everyone is pitching in to make this a very special event. Now the weather watch begins and the escape plan has been made but hopefully not have to be implemented...but the goal is to see the eclipse...the science in this case is secondary...because I will be with my children for a total solar eclipse...I have waited 26 years for this!

Complete Eclipse Video Telescope and Satellite System Streaming Test

I completed an all systems video, satellite and eclipse telescope test. All systems passed and ready for the eclipse in 33 days!

Eclipse Intervalometer Test at 0.01 s

Test of the eclipse intervalometer sequence setting of 0.01 s. 

35 days until the eclipse!!!!

Test of the Corona Camera System is a Success!

The eclipse is 39 days away and all equipment systems are testing successful. Today's test was of the complete corona camera system. It worked just fine.

Canopy Wind Test

This is one of three canopies that will be used at base-camp during the eclipse. It is important to determine how it will withstand a windy environment and what reinforcement measures must be used. 44 days until the eclipse!!!!!

Eclipse Weather Escape Plan

It is important to have an eclipse weather escape plan. Fifty four days out and the extended forecast is for rain and clouds at the basecamp in Douglas. Not a worry at this time because the night before the eclipse a go or stay decision will be made...but it is prudent to have a plan in place. 54 days until the eclipse!!!