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01/06/2012 09:35:49 AM · #1
12 Must-See Skywatching Events in 2012
01/06/2012 11:06:40 AM · #2
Good stuff!
There was some discussion amongst a group here in WI of taking a road trip for the annular eclipse, but I don't think it will happen. The Venus transit is something not to be missed. I caught the last one:



and I will certainly try to catch this one. It would really be something to say I've seen two of them, given that only six transits have occurred since 1639!
01/06/2012 11:58:16 AM · #3
Originally posted by kirbic:

Good stuff!
There was some discussion amongst a group here in WI of taking a road trip for the annular eclipse, but I don't think it will happen. The Venus transit is something not to be missed. I caught the last one:



and I will certainly try to catch this one. It would really be something to say I've seen two of them, given that only six transits have occurred since 1639!

Excellent! It's good to observe these rare events. I'm always impressed with the precise predictability of the transits.
01/06/2012 02:04:45 PM · #4
Thanks for the link -- I'm printing the article to keep it handy. I note they refer to "observed" transits of Venus, perhaps there were others? Amazing they say you can see the disk with the (well-shielded) naked eye -- it should show up with my 400mm (EQ) lens ... :-)

I had to send them a note though, correcting their spelling of Redding, California ... :-(
01/06/2012 03:07:52 PM · #5
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Thanks for the link -- I'm printing the article to keep it handy. I note they refer to "observed" transits of Venus, perhaps there were others? Amazing they say you can see the disk with the (well-shielded) naked eye -- it should show up with my 400mm (EQ) lens ... :-)

I had to send them a note though, correcting their spelling of Redding, California ... :-(


They refer to observed transits because earlier ones might have been seen by some people, but no one knows for sure. If they were seen, they would not have been interpreted correctly as the transit of a planet, being prior to Copernicus's formulation of a heliocentric solar system.
The transit will show up with 400mm equivalent focal length, but note the details on my linked shot of the last transit. 200mm, plus 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, shot on an APS-C body, so "equivalent" focal length of 896mm. Still had to crop down to 40% of the frame width!
For this year's transit, I will probably shoot with the 400/5.6 and a 2x converter, with a 35mm body for 800mm FL. I still will put nearly twice the pixels on the subject, and hopefully have better sharpness, though all will depend on atmospheric conditions. I sure hope we have a clear day!
01/06/2012 03:16:19 PM · #6
Will this need a significant ND filter? I better practice shooting into the sun beforehand ...

How long does the transit last? Seems like it could take quite a while.
01/06/2012 03:26:52 PM · #7
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Will this need a significant ND filter? I better practice shooting into the sun beforehand ...

How long does the transit last? Seems like it could take quite a while.


I made solar filters for my binoculars and telescope using a special mylar film that blocks enough light to make it safe. DO NOT use regular mylar, it will let you look at the sun, but you run a significant risk of giving your retinas a painful sunburn.

It came in a HUGE sheet, I'll look for it later. If you let me know how much you'd need, I'll send you a piece in the mail.
01/06/2012 05:00:06 PM · #8
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Thanks for the link -- I'm printing the article to keep it handy. I note they refer to "observed" transits of Venus, perhaps there were others? Amazing they say you can see the disk with the (well-shielded) naked eye -- it should show up with my 400mm (EQ) lens ... :-)

I had to send them a note though, correcting their spelling of Redding, California ... :-(


They refer to observed transits because earlier ones might have been seen by some people, but no one knows for sure. If they were seen, they would not have been interpreted correctly as the transit of a planet, being prior to Copernicus's formulation of a heliocentric solar system.
The transit will show up with 400mm equivalent focal length, but note the details on my linked shot of the last transit. 200mm, plus 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, shot on an APS-C body, so "equivalent" focal length of 896mm. Still had to crop down to 40% of the frame width!
For this year's transit, I will probably shoot with the 400/5.6 and a 2x converter, with a 35mm body for 800mm FL. I still will put nearly twice the pixels on the subject, and hopefully have better sharpness, though all will depend on atmospheric conditions. I sure hope we have a clear day!


If you climb a hill you should get a larger image with your 400mm since you are closer to the sun.

I will be looking for this transit as well. I think my 9-stop ND filter will be sufficient, but I'm not positive and will have to investigate some.
01/06/2012 05:07:37 PM · #9
Originally posted by DrAchoo:


If you climb a hill you should get a larger image with your 400mm since you are closer to the sun.


ROFL!

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I will be looking for this transit as well. I think my 9-stop ND filter will be sufficient, but I'm not positive and will have to investigate some.


I've used a 10-stop, and it works well. A 9-stop should be enough.

ETA: that is, I've used a 10-stop on my 400/5.6; the number of stops you need is related to the speed of the lens. If you're starting at f/2.8, you'll need two more stops than if you're starting at f/5.6.

Message edited by author 2012-01-06 17:10:05.
01/06/2012 05:11:33 PM · #10
Originally posted by Spork99:

I made solar filters for my binoculars and telescope using a special mylar film that blocks enough light to make it safe. DO NOT use regular mylar, it will let you look at the sun, but you run a significant risk of giving your retinas a painful sunburn.

It came in a HUGE sheet, I'll look for it later. If you let me know how much you'd need, I'll send you a piece in the mail.

Thanks -- I have ready access to high-cntrast graphic arts film (density 3.8-4.0) which I have verified to be adequate for solar observations -- the density measurement is logarithmic, so it's letting through something like 1/5000 to 1/10,000 of the light.

If anyone wants me to send some of that film just PM me a mailing address.

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

If you climb a hill you should get a larger image with your 400mm since you are closer to the sun.

I will assuredly keep your suggestion in mind ... ;-)
01/06/2012 05:12:13 PM · #11
I am more excited about the annular eclipse and am considering travelling to Utah or New Mexico to capture it while low on the horizon on May 20th. It is supposed to pass over the Bryce Canyon area and right over Albuquerque. My goal would be to shoot it telephoto while still able to have horizon/context in the picture. The problem with most eclipse photos (lunar or solar) is that if you've seen one you've seen them all.
01/06/2012 05:13:59 PM · #12
Originally posted by kirbic:

ETA: that is, I've used a 10-stop on my 400/5.6; the number of stops you need is related to the speed of the lens. If you're starting at f/2.8, you'll need two more stops than if you're starting at f/5.6.

In these circumstances, wouldn't you be closing down the aperture to its smallest setting anyway (e.g. f/8 or f/16)? Does it matter what the maximum aperture might be?
01/06/2012 05:17:28 PM · #13
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by kirbic:

ETA: that is, I've used a 10-stop on my 400/5.6; the number of stops you need is related to the speed of the lens. If you're starting at f/2.8, you'll need two more stops than if you're starting at f/5.6.

In these circumstances, wouldn't you be closing down the aperture to its smallest setting anyway (e.g. f/8 or f/16)? Does it matter what the maximum aperture might be?


It actually does; the aperture is wide open until you hit the shutter, then it stops down immediately before the shutter fires. Once the shutter closes, the aperture opens again.
01/06/2012 05:23:02 PM · #14
Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I am more excited about the annular eclipse and am considering travelling to Utah or New Mexico to capture it while low on the horizon on May 20th. It is supposed to pass over the Bryce Canyon area and right over Albuquerque. My goal would be to shoot it telephoto while still able to have horizon/context in the picture. The problem with most eclipse photos (lunar or solar) is that if you've seen one you've seen them all.


I was talking with some friends about driving down for it, but it's pretty much a three-day round trip, 18 hours in the car one way :-P
It looks like an almost identical distance for you.
I'd seriously consider doing it, but I'm going to AZ in March for a week already.
01/06/2012 05:29:44 PM · #15
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I am more excited about the annular eclipse and am considering travelling to Utah or New Mexico to capture it while low on the horizon on May 20th. It is supposed to pass over the Bryce Canyon area and right over Albuquerque. My goal would be to shoot it telephoto while still able to have horizon/context in the picture. The problem with most eclipse photos (lunar or solar) is that if you've seen one you've seen them all.


I was talking with some friends about driving down for it, but it's pretty much a three-day round trip, 18 hours in the car one way :-P
It looks like an almost identical distance for you.
I'd seriously consider doing it, but I'm going to AZ in March for a week already.


I'd probably try to get a cheap ticket to Phoenix, Salt Lake, or Albuquerque and rent a car. It would be worthwhile for Bryce since I've always wanted to go there anyway and I could take a few days.
01/06/2012 06:29:35 PM · #16
Jason,
Check this out: Astronomy Festival, this year (May 17-20, 2012) featuring a solar eclipse! .
We may try to either get to Bryce or try to grab a spot on the top of the Sandia Crest east of Albuquerque. I think the sun being eclipsed as it sets viewed from atop the Sandias would be remarkable.

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I am more excited about the annular eclipse and am considering travelling to Utah or New Mexico to capture it while low on the horizon on May 20th. It is supposed to pass over the Bryce Canyon area and right over Albuquerque. My goal would be to shoot it telephoto while still able to have horizon/context in the picture. The problem with most eclipse photos (lunar or solar) is that if you've seen one you've seen them all.


I was talking with some friends about driving down for it, but it's pretty much a three-day round trip, 18 hours in the car one way :-P
It looks like an almost identical distance for you.
I'd seriously consider doing it, but I'm going to AZ in March for a week already.


I'd probably try to get a cheap ticket to Phoenix, Salt Lake, or Albuquerque and rent a car. It would be worthwhile for Bryce since I've always wanted to go there anyway and I could take a few days.
01/06/2012 07:02:18 PM · #17
"Cheap ticket to PHX." Hmmm. These days, seems like an oxymoron!
Seriously, we used to be able to score tickets for about $205 direct to PHX, but these days, we usually pay over $300. Might be different later in the Spring. So $300, plus car rental, maybe $400 total. Cars are *very* expensive out of PHX, so might actually be easier to go into Denver. Anyhoo, it's not out of bounds. I'll actually consider it, but probably won't make a decision until early Spring.

ETA:
Hmmm. At this point, I could get a round trip to Denver for $234. Car rentals out of Denver are dirt cheap - I paid $17 per day for a 3-day rental last October. Now that is starting to make it sound attractive! It's still a 6-hour drive from Denver to Albuquerque, but that's not so bad.

Message edited by author 2012-01-06 19:08:20.
01/06/2012 07:37:54 PM · #18
I've seen and photographed an annular eclipse and the last transit of Venus. I'll post a photo of the transit when I get back from my trip. The annular eclipse photo was film. Both were great to see, but if I had to chose, I would pick the transit. In 2004, venush had started the transit where I was right around or just before sunrise so it was really cool.
01/06/2012 07:37:55 PM · #19
Duplicate post

Message edited by author 2012-01-06 19:38:41.
01/06/2012 07:43:02 PM · #20
Originally posted by cloudsme:

...In 2004, venush had started the transit where I was right around or just before sunrise so it was really cool.


Venush... is that a Hindu goddess?? ;-)

Yes, transit in 2004 was in progress at sunrise for me as well. As luck would have it, there was heavy haze over Lake Michigan, so as the sun rose there was actually no need of any filter... at first. Made it tricky though, because the brightness changed *fast*.
01/06/2012 07:47:49 PM · #21
wow... feel stupid. thought the topic said 12 must-see sasquatch events in 2012
01/06/2012 07:48:37 PM · #22
Originally posted by kirbic:

"Cheap ticket to PHX." Hmmm. These days, seems like an oxymoron!
Seriously, we used to be able to score tickets for about $205 direct to PHX, but these days, we usually pay over $300. Might be different later in the Spring. So $300, plus car rental, maybe $400 total. Cars are *very* expensive out of PHX, so might actually be easier to go into Denver. Anyhoo, it's not out of bounds. I'll actually consider it, but probably won't make a decision until early Spring.

ETA:
Hmmm. At this point, I could get a round trip to Denver for $234. Car rentals out of Denver are dirt cheap - I paid $17 per day for a 3-day rental last October. Now that is starting to make it sound attractive! It's still a 6-hour drive from Denver to Albuquerque, but that's not so bad.


FYI to anyone travelling to AZ in March. 15th through to the 23rd is our Spring Break. So expect, little hotel rooms and higher prices on airfares etc.
01/06/2012 07:56:09 PM · #23
Originally posted by JulietNN:


FYI to anyone travelling to AZ in March. 15th through to the 23rd is our Spring Break. So expect, little hotel rooms and higher prices on airfares etc.


Yep, I can confirm, that, LOL! Luckily, we don't need a hotel :-)
01/07/2012 01:21:21 AM · #24
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by kirbic:

ETA: that is, I've used a 10-stop on my 400/5.6; the number of stops you need is related to the speed of the lens. If you're starting at f/2.8, you'll need two more stops than if you're starting at f/5.6.

In these circumstances, wouldn't you be closing down the aperture to its smallest setting anyway (e.g. f/8 or f/16)? Does it matter what the maximum aperture might be?


It actually does; the aperture is wide open until you hit the shutter, then it stops down immediately before the shutter fires. Once the shutter closes, the aperture opens again.


Unless you are shooting Nikon with a manual aperture ring. Then you can set it where ever you want to shoot at and use less ND filters right?

My 400MM has a manual aperture ring and with a 1.7 converter and stopped down I could get away with less ND?
01/07/2012 08:45:50 AM · #25
Originally posted by MattO:



Unless you are shooting Nikon with a manual aperture ring. Then you can set it where ever you want to shoot at and use less ND filters right?

My 400MM has a manual aperture ring and with a 1.7 converter and stopped down I could get away with less ND?


I'm not certain that when you set an aperture manually it stops it down immediately. It's possible that it does, I just can't say for certain. I do know that it does work that way with an older AI or AIS lens mounted to a Canon body (no mechanical coupling between the body and lens).


Message edited by author 2012-01-07 08:46:16.
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