Acknowledgements
Introduction: An unusual day for pioneer Benton Marfold.

Eclipse Observation:

• The Magical Allure of Eclipses
• What Causes a Total Solar Eclipse?
• Why Chase Eclipses?
• What is it Like to See a Total Solar Eclipse?
• Solar Eclipse Observation Tips
• Eye Safety
• Drawing Eclipses

• Photography Basics
• Astrophotography
• Piggyback and Wide Angle Astrophotography
• All-sky Astrophotography
• Basic Astrophotography With a Telescope
• Deep-sky Astrophotography
• Lunar Eclipse Photography

• What is Unusual About Photographing a Solar Eclipse?
• How do I get good photos & video of an eclipse?
• Gadgets and Techniques for Solar Eclipse Photography
  • Recommended Equipment and its Use; Still Photography
  • Partial Solar Eclipse Photography
  • Total Solar Eclipse Photography
  • Wide Angle and Panoramic Eclipse Photography;
    Capturing the Lunar Shadow with Your Wide Angle Lens
  • Recommended Equipment and its Use; Video
  • Eclipse Videography

• Predicting the Appearance of the Lunar Umbra at Future Total Solar Eclipses
  • Introduction
  • Experiment for Determination of the Prominent Projection Altitude(s) of the Lunar Umbra on the Earth's Atmosphere:
    1. Objectives
    2. Challenges
    3. Assumptions, Variables, and Uncertainties
    4. Applicable Calculations
    5. Results from 1994 Eclipse Data
    6. Weighted Results from 1979, 1991, 1994, and 1995 Eclipse Data
    7. Summary of Conclusions; Umbral Boundary Phenomena
    8. Summary of Conclusions; Observed Color Near Horizon
    9. Additional Details from Observations
    10. Proposed Umbral Experiments
  • Predicting the Appearance of the Umbra
  • Umbral Predictions for Future Total Solar Eclipses
• Eclipse Light Curves
• Other Experiments

• Steps to a Successful Eclipse Expedition: Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse and Still Have Time to Look At It!
  1. Introduction
  2. Efficient & Productive Eclipse Preparations
  3. Planning for a Productive Eclipse Experience
  4. Expedition Planning
  5. Photography Planning
  6. When You Get to Your Eclipse Site
• Solutions to Common Eclipse Expedition Problems
  1. Observer Related Obstacles
  2. Environmental Obstacles
  3. Cultural Obstacles
• Getting Your Film and Equipment Through Airports and to Your Eclipse Site
  1. Introduction
  2. Documentation for U.S. & Foreign Customs
  3. Documentation for Security Personnel
  4. Packing for Mobility and Faster Customs & Security Processing
  5. Preparation for Your Encounter with an Airport X-ray Machine
  6. Travel Attire; Pros and Cons. Appearance is Worth Considering!
  7. Keeping Your Equipment Safe
  8. Planning & Packing to Allow for Delayed Checked Baggage
  9. Persistence; Rare Occasions when it is Appropriate
  10. Ground Transportation to Your Eclipse Site
  11. Planning Your Own Eclipse Expedition
• Cultural Reality at Your Eclipse Destination
  1. Introduction
  2. How culture has affected the perception of total solar eclipses
  3. Beware of accepting "favors" in some cultures!
  4. Be aware of cultural taboos; books don't mention all of them!
  5. Sometimes, it may be difficult to avoid problems
  6. If you share your time and resources, you can make a difference!
  7. Consider the long term welfare of local people you may befriend
  8. People aren't all considered "people" in some cultures
  9. Areas of armed conflict and eclipse observers; a bad combination
  10. Local fauna and other non-cultural hazards
  11. In spite of potential problems, visiting other cultures is worthwhile
  12. From My Soap Box

• My First One: February 26, 1979
• The Long Dry Spell; An Astrophotographer's Journal
• The Big One: July 11, 1991
• The Wild One: November 3, 1994
• The Short One: October 24, 1995
• The Next One: Will You Be There?

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Recommended Reading:

Steps to a Successful Eclipse Expedition, by Jeffrey R. Charles

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© Copyright 1996, Jeffrey R. Charles, All Rights Reserved.

Mail to: Jeffrey R. Charles (jcharles@eclipsechaser.com)

Document Last Modified: 28 February, 1997
Links Last Modified: 19 March, 1998