Our editorial staff often discuss how to best use their mainstream digital cameras for astronomical imaging. Surprised? Truth is, many of the most amazing amateur celestial photos are captured with mainstream terrestrial DSLR cameras. As with traditional astrophotography, DSLRs offer lots of options for imaging solar eclipses. You can shoot […]
By Gary Parkerson, Executive Editor Astronomy Technology Today I’ve used many white-light solar filters over the years, including examples made with glass ranging from poor to excellent in optical quality. Of course, those with coatings deposited on inexpensive plate glass were, well … inexpensive, but they also delivered poor views. […]
The upcoming transcendental August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse is the first to happen in the contiguous U.S. since 1979. And the next one to happen is not until 2024. It’s safe to say that this upcoming eclipse is a once in a lifetime opportunity. From a technology standpoint, think of […]
So, you’ve decided you want to watch the Great Solar Eclipse by looking directly at the Sun. Super! One of the easiest and inexpensive ways to do so is with solar glasses. These are special glasses that remove all harmful ultraviolet, all harmful infrared and 99.999 percent of intense visible […]
Looking directly at the sun is unsafe. Even during the upcoming solar eclipse, the only safe way to look directly at the eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or other equipment that is outfitted for safely viewing the Sun. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, […]
Solar eclipse glasses typically need to meet two constraints: You need something which will block most of the light, and you need something that can provide structural support, so it won’t fall apart while you’re staring at the sun. Thanks to modern chemistry, most of the ‘solar eclipse glasses’ you […]
Some of us are lucky enough to live close to, or even better, in the direct path of the area of totality for the Great Solar Eclipse. Those of us that aren’t so lucky will need to travel to view totality. Communities across the nation are going all out putting together […]
One of the most unusual ways to view the eclipse is on an airplane. Because the path of totality travels across the breadth of the US, there will be numerous flights that will provide unparalleled views of the eclipse. If you are planning travel on that day, you might want […]
Total solar eclipses are rare events. Transcontinental total solar eclipses such as the August 21 Total Solar Eclipse are rarer, still. The last total eclipse to impact the US was in 1979 and was limited to a few states in the Northwest. Just think of the impact on our lives […]
Are two eyes better than one? In the case of binoculars – with their ease of use and portability when observing the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse – using both eyes is just the ticket. And if you already have a pair of binoculars sitting around the house, then with […]
Want to view the August 21 Solar Eclipse through a $5,000 solar telescope? Or perhaps use a high end deep-sky telescope outfitted with the latest high-end solar filter? Of course, the answer is “sure!” and of course, most of you reading this have no intention of going out and buying […]
The Total Solar Eclipse on August 21 is going to be one of the most anticipated and participated astronomical events in the last 50 years. And the good news is that you don’t have to have any special equipment to actively participate in the Eclipse. With basic household items or […]