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JVC DV3 digital video camera with Baader solar filter for general recording of eclipse. Note the Pizza base sun shield needed as the viewfinder is in line with the lens. The camera was set to maximum optical zoom and the focus set manually to infinity. the auto exposure was set to maximum under exposure to counteract the tendency for the auto exposure to overexpose the bright solar image. White balance left on auto. Toucam webcam with 29mm SLR lens and Star Analyser 100 diffraction grating to record the spectra, screwed into a hole cut in a lens cap. The combination gave a dispersion of 18.33 A/pixel. The direction of the moon's path was estimated beforehand and the camera angled so the path was diagonally across the field of view. This meant that the spectrum could be orientated diagonally across the field at 90 deg to the path, giving maximum length of spectrum and minimum effective width of the sun's image close to totality. Note the webcam is wrapped in aluminised plastic film to keep the sunlight out of the camera (The grey plastic case of the camera is translucent) A solar filter of a black polymer material (not shown) was used in front of the diffaction grating before and after totality as the Baader solar film produces severe fringing in the spectrum due to interference effects between the two coated sides. Eq1 mount with battery driven RA motor drive was used to track the sun. The Dec axis was rotated 90 deg to allow the mount to track past the meridian during the eclipse. The unit tracked perfectly following a rough polar alignment, needing just an occasional declination adjustment during the eclipse. This picture was taken before the equipment was dismantled for the flight to Turkey. The counterbalance weight, tripod and tools were placed in the hold while the rest of the equipment including laptop, chargers etc was carried on as hand baggage. The photo was used to make sure everything was reassembled correctly on arrival. |
