1. The Great American
Solar Eclipse
DAVID HEARN: DIRECTOR, KISSIMMEE PARK OBSERVATORY
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2. Dave Hearn
 Involved in Amateur Astronomy
for over 40 years
 Astrophotographer
 Astronomy Outreach Evangelist
 Astronomy Book Author
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3. Kissimmee Park Observatory
 Private Observatory in Central Florida
 Saint Cloud; 25 miles south of
Orlando, FL
 Primary activities are
Astrophotography and Astronomy
Outreach
 Began public operation in January
2013
 KPObservatory.org
 Facebook.com/kpobservatory
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4. Star Hopping
 Weekly astronomy show on YouTube that
teaches you how to locate beautiful targets
in the night sky.
 StarHopping.org
 Google “Star Hopping” and select ‘Videos”
 Nearly 60 Episodes, started in October,
2015
 Over 1300 subscribers on YouTube and
Facebook
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5. Star Hopping 5

6. Stars 6

7. Stars 7

8. Stars 8

9. What Causes an Eclipse?
 An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves in
front of another, temporarily blocking it from view
from a particular vantage point.
 Nerd Alert: This alignment is called a “Syzygy”.
 Two Eclipse Seasons per year, lasting between 30
and 38 days each – based on alignments of Earth’s
path around the Sun and the Moon’s orbit around
Earth.
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10. Types of Eclipses
Lunar Eclipse – The Earth moves
between the Sun and the Moon
Solar Eclipse – The Moon moves
between the Earth and the Sun
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11. Lunar Eclipses
 Lunar Eclipses occur more frequently – the Earth’s shadow is large
 Occurs at the point of the Full Moon phase.
 Darkest part of Earth’s shadow is called the Umbra
 Outside part of the shadow is called the Penumbra
 Deep eclipses (into the Umbra) cause “Blood Moon” lunar eclipses
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12. Solar Eclipses
 Much more rare than Lunar Eclipses
because the Moon’s shadow is so small.
 Occurs at the point of the New Moon phase.
 If the observer is outside the central cone
(“Umbra”) of the Moon’s shadow, they see a
partial eclipse.
 From inside the Umbra the observer sees a
Total Solar Eclipse.
 Total Solar Eclipses last for a maximum of 7
minutes and 29 seconds – July 16, 2186.
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13. Partial Solar Eclipse
 Partial Solar Eclipses are seen when the
observer is within the Moon’s outer
shadow, or “Penumbra”.
 No major effects are seen until the partial
phase approaches 98%.
 Pinhole Effects can be seen if you know
to look for them.
 Solar Filters MUST be used to observe a
Partial Solar Eclipse.
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14. Annular Solar Eclipse
 An Annular Eclipse is also known as a “Ring of
Fire” Eclipse.
 Name comes from the Latin word “Annulus” which
means “Ring”.
 This is essentially a Total Eclipse, except the
distance of the Moon from the Earth is great
enough to not permit the Umbra to reach the
Earth.
 Solar Filters MUST be used to observe an
Annular Solar Eclipse.
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15. Total Solar Eclipse
 A Total Solar Eclipse is most probably the greatest
celestial show that can be seen with the Naked
Eye.
 When the Moon’s disk is perfectly aligned with the
Solar Disk, the bright photosphere is hidden, which
allows the beautiful and wispy corona to be seen.
This event is also known as “Totality”.
 The Solar Corona has about the same brightness
as the Full Moon.
 Solar Filters are not required (and cannot be used)
during Totality. This is the ONLY time you can view
the Sun with your naked eye.
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16. Eclipse Safety
 A Total Solar Eclipse creates a fairly dangerous
situation, as people tend to want to use binoculars or
telescopes to view the event.
 Optical devices collect and magnify light – the intense
light from the sun is focused to what is essentially a
laser beam.
 If this focused light hits your retina it will painlessly burn
it (no nerve endings in the retina), which will impact
your sight.
 Solar Filters MUST be used. Safe solar filters fit over
the FRONT of a telescope of binoculars.
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17. Solar Filters
 New mylar film solar filters are fitted
on the FRONT of a telescope or
binoculars. This type of filter blocks all
the heat and 99.999% of the light,
allowing you to safely view the
pleasant yellow disc of the sun.
 Other forms of filtering, such as
welder’s glass, smoked glass, or
window tinting film are NOT safe.
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18. Eclipse Glasses
 Solar Eclipse Glasses have similar
film, and can be worn as normal
sunglasses to let you view the
partial phases of the eclipse with
your own eyes.
 Normal Sunglasses are NOT safe.
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19. What Can You Expect to See?
 Many interesting and unusual effects
accompany a Total Solar Eclipse:
 Approaching Lunar Shadow
 Pinhole Camera Effects
 Shadow Bands (rare)
 Baily’s Beads
 Diamond Ring
 Solar Corona
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20. Approaching Lunar Shadow
 From a high vantage point, it is possible to see the
approaching lunar shadow.
 The shadow will be moving across the landscape at
approximately 1500 miles per hour.
 From the summit of Brasstown Bald, the shadow will be
seen approaching from the Northwest, approximately 5
minutes before Totality begins.
 When the shadow reaches the observer, Totality begins.
 The shadow can be seen racing away to the southeast
after Totality ends.
 Excellent to capture via a time lapse movie.
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21. Pinhole Camera Effects
 A “Pinhole Camera” is created by any small hole: it
projects an image of the Sun on the ground. The gaps
between leaves of trees create one of the most
common instances of Pinhole Camera effects.
 Normally the image of the Sun is round. However in the
deep partial eclipse phases, the images that are
projected are crescents.
 These images can be photographed with your basic
camera or phone, and serve as a nice memento of the
event.
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22. Shadow Bands
 Shadow Bands are a very rare effect that can be seen in the
last few moments before Totality.
 On any blank white surface, it is possible to see wavy,
undulating lines.
 Shadow Bands are caused by the small solar surface and
atmospheric “boiling”. This is the same effect that causes
stars to twinkle.
 As the partial phase of the eclipse progresses, shadows will
become more distinct and very sharp.
 This is something that is easily missed because of the
impending drama of the approaching Totality.
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23. Baily’s Beads
 The appearance of Baily’s beads
heralds the beginning and the end of
Totality.
 Caused by the Sun’s photosphere
shining though craters on the limb of the
Moon.
 Occurs at 2nd Contact and 3rd Contact.
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24. Diamond Ring Effect
 Appearance of the first Diamond
Ring raises the excitement level!
 At 2nd Contact, the last Baily’s
Bead creates the Diamond Ring
 At 3rd Contact the first Baily’s Bead
again creates the Diamond Ring
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25. Diamond Ring Effect
 Dangerous period of time – this is the
last / first blast of light from the blinding
Solar Photosphere.
 At 2nd contact, this is when you will take
off your Eclipse Glasses and remove
filters from lenses and telescopes. Be
careful here!
 At 3rd contact, this is when you will put
your filters and eclipse glasses back on.
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26. Totality and the Solar Corona
 Totality is why we go to the
Centerline!
 Nature’s most amazing spectacle.
 Daylight quickly reduces to deep twilight
 Temperature drops 10-15 degrees
 Birds go in to roost, night time insects start
singing
 Sunset colors extend 360 degrees around all
horizons
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27. Totality and the Solar Corona
 Totality can last a maximum of 7 minutes
and 29 seconds.
 But not for us this time – only 2:13.
 Only during Totality can we see the faint
Solar Corona
 The Corona extends millions of miles into
space
 About as bright as the Full Moon
 Solar Filters and Eclipse glasses MUST be
removed to see the Corona
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28. Eclipse Events on August 21st, 2017
 First Contact
 Second Contact
 Maximum Eclipse
 Third Contact
 Fourth Contact
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29. First Contact: 1:06:03 PM
 The point in time when the Moon’s
limb visually contacts the Sun’s
limb.
 Technically the beginning of the
entire eclipse event.
 At Brasstown Bald, First Contact
will occur at 1:06:03 PM.
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30. Second Contact: 2:35:09 PM
 The point when the entire lunar disk
fits within the solar disk.
 Technically the start of Totality.
 At this point you must take off your
eclipse glasses to be able to see
the solar corona.
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31. Second Contact: 2:35:09 PM
 Heralded by Baily’s Beads and the
first Diamond Ring effect.
 Daylight recedes into twilight.
 At Brasstown Bald, Second Contact
will occur at 2:35:09 PM.
 Totality at Brasstown Bald will last 2
minutes and 13 seconds.
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32. Maximum Eclipse: 2:36:15 PM
 The point in time when the Moon’s disk is
centered on the Sun’s disk.
 Technically Mid-Eclipse. It’s half over!
 At this point the greatest extent of the Solar
Corona can be seen.
 This is also the greatest extent of the darkness
cause by the Moon’s Shadow.
 At Brasstown Bald, Maximum Eclipse will occur
at 2:36:15 PM.
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33. Third Contact: 2:37:22 PM
 The point in time when the Moon’s disk
contacts the opposite side of the Sun’s disk.
 Technically the end of Totality. So Sad!
 Heralded by the second Diamond Ring effect,
and another appearance of Baily’s beads.
 Time to put your eclipse glasses back on.
 Daylight returns.
 At Brasstown Bald, Third Contact will occur at
2:37:22 PM.
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34. Fourth Contact: 4:00:49 PM
 The point in time when the Moon’s disk leaves
the Sun’s disk.
 The end of the partial phases, and the
technical end of the eclipse.
 Time to pack up your gear and go home!
 At Brasstown Bald, Fourth Contact will occur at
4:00:49 PM
 Hang out and enjoy the beautiful views while
the rest of the crowd tries to leave all at once.
(many will leave after Third Contact)
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35. Eclipse Photography
 As with any beautiful celestial event, people will want to
capture the spectacular views during Totality.
 Much planning is required; everything needs to work perfectly
because Nature allows no Instant Replays.
 Not a time to try out a new lens or new equipment. You need
to be intimately familiar with any equipment you will use.
 Maybe better to just enjoy the event through your trusty
Eclipse Glasses. Um, Not!
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36. Super Telephotos & Telescopes
 Super Telephotos range from
200mm to 2000mm focal length
 Allows you to capture about 3
solar diameters – will fit the entire
solar disk and the corona
 Telescopes will allow closer views
to see sunspots and closeups of
the partial eclipse phases
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37. Super Telephotos & Telescopes
 MUST be fitted with a solar filter on
FRONT of the telescope or lens
 You need to be ready to remove the
filters before 2nd contact and replace
them after 3rd contact
 Must use a motorized telescope
mount or tracking platform because
of the higher magnification
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38. Time Lapse Movies
 Excellent to document the motion of the Moon’s shadow, the
appearance of all of the eclipse effects, and motion of the
clouds and crowd.
 Camera needs to be placed on a stationary tripod.
 Intervalometer is needed to automate the repeating exposures
 Series of images need to be combined into a movie
 Number of frames and frame rate will determine the length of
the finished movie.
 See StarHopping.org/SH048 for an online tutorial on Time
Lapse astrophotography.
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39. Pinhole Effect Shots
 Opportunity to capture this effect will come
during the partial phases between 50% and
75% of solar coverage
 Create boards with lettering and holes drilled to
create a bunch of tiny crescents on the ground
 Take pictures of friends and family with pinhole
crescents on their faces or clothing
 Will have two opportunities before and after
Totality.
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40. Real Time Movies
 Will be the most popular capture during the eclipse
 Movies will flood the Internet after the event.
 Social media will have nothing but eclipse movies.
 In locations with good Internet coverage, live
streaming will be very popular
 Will it crash the Internet???
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41. Dave’s Eclipse Kit
 Two DSLRs mounted on an
iOptron Smart EQ robotic
equatorial mount.
Canon 6D mounted to a
1000mm Orion Maksutov mirror
lens for closeups of the corona
and partial phases
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42. Dave’s Eclipse Kit
 Two DSLRs mounted on an
iOptron Smart EQ robotic
equatorial mount.
Canon 60D mounted to a Canon
100-400mm “L” zoom lens.
Effectively 640mm. Will use for
wider field views to capture
outer corona.
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43. Dave’s Eclipse Kit
 Solar Eclipse Maestro
software running on my
MacBook Pro
 Canon 6D with an Alpine
Radian panning time lapse
mount
 Canon 100D used as a mobile
video camera
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44. Eclipse Resources
 GreatAmericanEclipse.com – Michael Zeiler
 Eclipsophile.com – (eclipse weather) Jay Anderson
 Eclipse2017.org – (local predictions) Javier Zubier
 EclipseWise.com – Fred Espenak
 Eclipse-Maps.com – Michael Zeiler
 StarHopping.org / SH054 – Planning for the Great
American Eclipse
 StarHopping.org / SH057 – Photographing the
Great American Solar Eclipse
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45. A Year of Star Hopping
 New Book being released on Amazon,
iTunes Store, and StarHopping.org
 340 pages – 8.5” x 11” paperback bound
/ eBook
 Shows how to locate over 100 deep sky
objects using my “Star Hopping” method.
 Based on a year of episodes of my Star
Hopping YouTube show.
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46. Thank You – Q & A
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