Capturing the Eclipse

Safely parked in the side yard of the family estate outside Dayton Ohio.  A perfect spot for a mini-watch party with the family over.

This is why we timed the trip.

Rufus at home for the next few weeks, as the eclipse begins

The eclipse occurred directly overhead.

Looking like Pac Man

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It's dark and chilly the last minutes before totality

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The Diamond Ring as the sun begins to reappear

Quite a few planes giving eclipse tours

And of course there are always chores to be done while here.  First off the hot water heater was leaking.  Yikes!  I took a look at where it was leaking at the drain valve.  And of course it began gushing!  More than the basement floor drain could handle :(  I shut off the water to the heater and its gas line.

I’ve used Kettering Plumbing before and they were here immediately, drain cleared!  And back the next day with a brand new 40 gallon water heater heater.

Out with the old

In with the new

In the next week the once beautiful maple tree in the front will be taken down :(

Yup it's a big'n

They were to start today, but it's raining.

Once we get the 'got-to-do' list checked off, we’ll have time for some fun!  Looking forward to some up coming fun!

Eclipse - Idaho Falls for the main event

It did take us a couple long driving days to reach Idaho Falls, but we also made time for getting out as well.  We arrived a couple hours ahead of son Michael and grandson Jm, my younger brother Marty traveled with them.  The ‘falls’ in Idaho Falls is a long concrete barrier that provides the cities' power needs.  The barrier is constructed above what was the original ‘falls’ on the Snake River.




Along the river is a biking/walking path and some interesting benches in the shape of potaoes, wildlife, fish and such.  Really it’s kinda clever.


When we get together we often have a ‘wine-off’, where we each bring a couple wines ($25 limit) that are reasonably local to our individual areas.  Marty winters in Mazatlan where he teaches English, brought my favorite Mexican wine -  Monte Xanic.  Michael, now living in WA, can contribute anything from the Columbia Valley -  all good wines.  We’ve been on the road and offered wines from NM, MO and CA.  We each get to pick one bottle to enter into the competition, bag them and after mixing them around number the bags.



There is no official scoring, it is all ‘hydonisic’ where it is rated by how each appeals to the taster.  In the end we end up with a wine that appeals the most to the group.  Here’s the score sheet that we developed over time, if you want to use it or modify it for your family ‘bake-off’ or ‘cook-off’ feel free. 


Jm has had a good time in the playground at Snake River RV Park & Campground.


We made pin-hole cameras to have a little fun.  If one pin hole is good more is better.  Jm calls me Papa so here is my camera, where each pinhole shows the inversion of the sun being covered from the bottom, but when viewed directly the sun was being covered from the top.


But that’s not why we are here …  there is an eclipse!  We all have our ISO approved solar glasses.  And a perfect spot on the grass all picked out.  I made a filter for my camera to capture a few pictures of the event.


And the main event – our view of the Great American Eclipse, with the starburst that follows totality.




We'll begin the ride home tomorrow …. 

Solarizing the Camera

I sure wish I’d have done this before the Mercury transit, but there’s still no promise that itty-bitty Mercury would have been seen.  But I do know that the camera will be ready for next year’s eclipse.

Yes I made my own filter, more on that in a bit. 

First the camera is an entry level Panasonic Lumix G5, the rear touch screen swings out and rotates.  I don’t have to squint while pointing into the sun.  It’s mounted on a tripod with a remote shutter release.

There is more than one way to protect the camera for solar photography, the easiest (and most expensive) is to buy a solar filter.  I have a 52 mm threaded lens and Amazon would be happy to sell a Thousands Oaks filter for over $50.  Thousand Oaks is one of the top names in the business, and it’s worth it not to scrimp, the optics in even my entry level camera are well over $50!

But Thousands Oaks also sells their solar film in sheets.  A 4x4" sheet is still under $10, but up 25% from my purchase.  Thousand Oaks also includes instructions, but the modification I have done I have not seen documented elsewhere.  Here goes:

The solar glasses are from the 2012 Bryce Ring-of-Fire, a bit of eye protection in case I screw up!
Bryce Canyon put on a spectacular show for the 2012 event, and continues to put on a great 'sky show' the first weekend in June.

In the black packing foam I cut a snug fit for the camera's sun shade.  To that I glued a sheet of cardboard supplied by Thousand Oaks.  I glued the solar film and another sheet of cardboard to sandwich it all together, also supplied by Thousand Oaks.



Don’t wait to the last minute to decide if to take a picture.  Holding the solar glasses over Fran’s Sony has poor results and could damage the optics.  Don’t try this at home!  (Photo for display only – and don’t tell Fran!)

Whew – her camera survived!  But the results are crap.

The G5 is totally electronic, so I let it decide on the settings, and a 10 second exposure is too long a couple tenths is closer but washed out.


I can fiddle with the ISO setting but not the shutter speed.  This is not a bad result, but I need to read more of the fine manual (is that RTFM?).  The settings will need constant adjustment and I’m not a pro!  It would be nice if the camera could do the compensation


These settings will need to change as the eclipse develops.  Any thoughts?

I know there are at least a few pros out there who occasionally read this blog and I know one who also has a Panasonic ....  Your thoughts please!

I’ll have lots of various sunlight conditions to work with in Alaska … if we ever get out of San Diego!  Looks like we’ll end up only 10 days late, that’ll change the route north to Tacoma – but not much else.  I might post on that next week – The sites on 395 that we’ll miss most … or something like that.  Which leads to the question what are your favorite 395 sites?

BTW – the stitches are out in time to watch Aj run the anchor leg of the finals in the 400 meter relay.  And I felt down-right formal in real Keen sandals at Kg’s concert last night!


Where will you be August 21 2017?

August 21, 2017–where will you be?

The total solar eclipse can be observed from the west coast of Oregon to the east coast of Georgia and so many great locations between.  I’ve checked out a number of spots on this trip and still have a couple more to explore before returning home.


If you have not had the opportunity to view a total solar eclipse, the ‘Ring of Fire’, this is probably one of the best opportunities, as the eclipse will traverse the entire continental US.

After visiting areas in the path including the John Day, Idaho Falls, Grand Teton, University MO and places in between I know where I’d like to be.  If you are undecided check out the Oregon Star Party, or the NASA link to make your own plans.

Here’s a link to my the 2012 Ring of Fire from Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon – Ring of Fire 2012

Posted with Windows Live Writer June 2, 2015!  Welcome back WLW, missed you.

While I am still undecided on a destination for the 2017 Solar Eclipse, I thought I’d share a few moments from the Star Party held in Bryce Canyon during the May 2012 Solar Eclipse.  The campsite was a nice pull-thru site, a short walk from the Visitor’s Center.


Bryce hosts a Star Party every year allow the Astronomy Clubs to turn the Visitor's Center parking area into an array of telescopes.  These scopes are all privately owned by enthusiasts and freely shared with the public.



The Solar Eclipse was the main attraction of the 4 days spent there.   But of course the sights of Bryce are always a great reason to visit.  The Above-the-Rim-Day consisted of a scooter ride to the Bristlecone Pine Grove and stopping at the view points on the return.








The Below-the-Rim-Day was advertised in the newsletter as the ‘Best 3 Mile Hike’ combining the Navajo Loop, Queens Garden and Sunrise Point.  The Navajo Loop begins at Sunset Point.


Arriving at the Queens Garden a longer loop can be made by hiking back to the rim on the Sunrise Point trail, instead of continuing or the Navajo Loop or returning to Sunset Point.



The Sunrise Point trail begins easy enough, but as it ascends it lacks the shade enjoyed on the Navajo.




Sunset Point was also the destination for observing the eclipse.  It’s 2 miles from the campsite along the Rim Trail to Sunset Point.  Although shuttles were available it’s a fairly easy walk with nice views.  But did not expect the gathering that was there to observe the Ring of Fire!





An ATV was rented for a look at the back country outside the park. 

There’s even a nice bus/RV wash area to clean the dust off the RV before heading home.


What are your plans for August 21 2017?  Visit the NASA site for the path across the US and pick your favorite spot.