Total Solar Eclipse
It's being called the astronomical event of the decade. Mike Rexroad tells you how, where and when.
When
Monday, August 21, 2017
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Pavilion Rented 12 pm - 5 pm
Where
9A/Baymeadows Regional Park
8000 Baymeadows Rd E
Jacksonville, Fl
Also various sites along I-26 corridor in South Carolina - see below.
Contact
Mike Rexroad
Cell : 904 502 2004
Home: 904 363 6435
Web Info:
The Xavier web site below covers all you need to know about the solar eclipse.
Use the interactive map for the exact times and positions at your site.
Facilities
To have some shade, we are reserving a pavilion near the restrooms from 12-5. There are tables and bench seats, but bring a bag chair if desired.
Parking near the restroom available.
Register
Register Here
Registering gives us an automatic list to award club points.
Registered Members:
Gail Means, Young McQueen, Mike Rexroad, Lloyd Granat, Silvia Agreda, John Neel
Personal Safety
Because you will be shooting or observing the Eclipse in mid-August be sure to take care of yourself by dressing cool (temperature wise) and staying hydrated. If you start to feel dizzy while in the sun please get to a cool place immediately.
Plan ahead to decide if you’re going to make use of an indirect viewing method – more information below – or to watch the eclipse directly by using eclipse glasses.
Eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should meet all the following criteria:
•Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
•Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product
•Not be used if they are older than three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
•Not use homemade filters or be substituted for with ordinary sunglasses -- not even very dark ones -- because they are not safe for looking directly at the Sun
The American Astronomical Society has verified that these five manufacturers are making eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: American Paper Optics, Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold film only), Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.
Wear a cap or hat – if you can view and shoot from a shady spot – all the better.
Drink plenty of water or sports drinks.
Photography Tips
Shooting an eclipse is not as difficult as shooting the moon, mainly because of the lack of detail. However your lens must be in focus, so focus your lens on the moon one evening and then tape your focus ring and zoom barrel in place with blue painters tape so that it doesn’t move.
300 mm minimum should do the trick. For Cropped Cameras 180 mm may be enough but if you have longer lenses, use them.
You will need a filter for your lens – you can either pay $175 for a solar filter that you will use once every several years or you can buy a sheet of solar film:
6"x6" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras $15 at Amazon. If you are traveling to the totality zone then you will have to remove the filter during total darkness and put it back on when the sun becomes visible again.
If you are going to photograph the sun, use a white cloth to cover the top of your camera to help keep your black camera cool.
Never point an unfiltered lens and camera at the sun.
THE SAME GOES FOR YOUR EYEBALLS.
Be safe, have fun – and don’t get so caught up with taking pictures. Enjoy the scene through your own peepers, protected of course!.
It might also be fun to take a few pix of the people around you enjoying the view. ENJOY!
Eclipse Path Information
Jacksonville
Starting around 1:16 PM Elevation ~71O and Azimuth ~170O
90.5% totality at 2:47 PM Elevation ~64O and Azimuth ~229O
Ending around 4:11 PM. Elevation ~48O and Azimuth ~253O
South Carolina
Monitor and reply on comment section below for updated location information in South Carolina.
Charleston
For those who wish to travel to South Carolina to be in the path of totality, it appears that anywhere along I-26 from Charleston to Columbia will be satisfactory for viewing the eclipse.
However the closer you are to the center of the path increases the elapsed time of the total eclipse. At the North and South edges expect the total eclipse to last about 45 secs while you will have about 2 ½ minutes at the center of the path.
Use the interactive map for the exact times and positions at your site.
Starting: 1:16 PM Elevation ~69O and Azimuth ~176O
Begin Total 2:46 PM Elevation ~62O and Azimuth ~227O
Maximum 2:47 PM Elevation ~62O and Azimuth ~227O
End Total 2:48 PM Elevation ~61O and Azimuth ~228O
Ending 4:09 PM Elevation ~46O and Azimuth ~251O
Decided to stay in Savanah on Sunday and leave for I-26 Monday morning.
Any suggestions as where to stop would be appreciated. My cell # is 904 -312-2599. If anyone is
driving up on Monday please contact me and we can trade traffic reports.
I received my solar telescope last night. I set it up and when the sun was above the trees I began. I wanted to share this image.
https://goo.gl/photos/HAu2qwGhupndD4KX8
This was shot with a point and shoot (Sony that shoots raw). Manual, camera held to eyepiece. This is full frame (IE not cropped).
All JCC members at the 9A shoot are welcome to shoot/observe through this telescope. I am a complete novice at this and am surprised I even got a photograph.
BTW it is HOT outside. I hear Monday will be a bit cooler. Maybe a lot cooler if it rains.
For those lucky folks traveling to SC would you please let the outings chair know who you are so we can document your activity. ..Mike
A NASA Blog post on the eclipse is here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/planning-your-eclipse-party.
Thanks to Mike Rexroad for all the eclipse research and for planning the outing.
About 45 years ago there was a total eclipse with the path going through Waycross. The light was to much for my lens and something was needed to enable a proper exposure. I had wrapped some sandwiches in aluminum foil so I took a piece of foil and covered the end of my lens hood. I then made a pin hole in the foil that reduced the light falling on my lens and that made it within the range of the lens for a good exposure. I would imagine that a solar filter might do a better job but the foil did work well at no extra expense.
I plan to drive to Orangeburg, SC for the total eclipse. It is about a 4 hour drive. Leaving at 8AM will allow plenty of time to establish a shooting location. Currently, I am considering the rest area on I26 at mile marker 152. Also going to check on the Pilot Truck Stop which is before the rest area. The Truck Stop would afford restrooms and eating facilities and normally they have some wide open space. I intend to stay over that evening but this can be done as a long day trip.
I will not make reservation because if the forecast is unfavorable, I will not go.
Rick