Eclipse Preparation Workshop/In-Reach: How to Safely View and Photograph the Sun

This event is for people who plan to observe or photograph the upcoming April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse (or do any solar viewing or photography).

In order to safely participate in this event, you must have solar filters or Baader film that is appropriate for your camera or telescope unless your equipment has a built-in solar filter, such as a Coronado PST.

If you do not already have these filters or materials, we recommend that you visit Mile High Astronomy at 9797 W Colfax Avenue in Lakewood or purchase your equipment online soon. B&H Photography in New York City also has simple Baader filter sheets for do-it-yourselfers, and pre-made Baader filters for various telescope diameters. With the upcoming eclipse, stock may be low. Don't wait!

Workshop Objectives:
*  Learn how to set up and safely focus either cameras or telescopes at the Sun under midday conditions.
*  Observe and photograph sunspots and the coronal discharges of the solar chromosphere.
*  Fine tune your personal camera settings (ISO, aperture, exposure times) for solar imaging.
*  Plan a solar eclipse shooting session involving progressive darkening, almost total darkness, progressive lightening.

Camera Gear: DSLR with 300-400mm focal lens, or telescope with T-ring camera mount.

If folks want to connect their DSLR cameras to a laptop I suggest:

• they download free “Digital Camera Control” from Source Forge,
• they bring a suitably long USB cable,
• and a box sufficient to shade their laptops from the outdoor sunlight.

WARNING!: Looking directly into the sun with a telescope will lead to permanent blindness.

About your Presenter: John H Bickel, Ph.D. is a retired nuclear engineer/physicist. He has been a Denver Astronomical Society Member for 5 years and resides in Evergreen, Colorado. He is an avid photographer and is experienced in imaging both Solar and Lunar eclipses. 

NOTE: Sign-up is on an individual basis. If you have someone who want to bring along, please have them sign up separately.  You can, however, use the same waiver form with that person.

NOTE: Please plan to arrive at the gate no later than 10:50 a.m. At that point, the gate will be closed and you will be unable to enter. Please leave home EARLY if this is your first time traveling to Sandstone Ranch. Recent guests noted that it was a lot farther away than they thought!

You're also welcome to bring food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. We follow a pack-it-in, pack-it-out ethic at Sandstone Ranch, so please plan to take your own refuse with you when you leave. Indoor restrooms or porta potties will be available.

If this is your first time attending an astronomy event at Sandstone Ranch, you'll need to fill out and return the waiver that will be sent to all participants two days prior to the event. Please do not forget to do this important step.

Once you've signed up, more information will be sent out at least one day prior to the event with driving instructions and more! Questions can be emailed to info@denverastro.org.