Astrophotography
by Dan Folz
(05/17/03)
I haven't taken any photos of the stars myself.
But I know this guy at work (Dan Folz) who has
taken some really great photos that have appeared in magazines and won contests.
Dan has graciously allowed me to display some of his work here.
Hally Bop
Total Solar Eclipse
February 26, 1998
Solar Eclipse
Pelican and North American Nebula
Nebula
Subject: Annular Solar Eclipse.
Date: May 10, 1994.
Time: 15:20:00 to 18:50:00 UT
Telescope Type: Refractor; TeleVue Pronto, 70mm objective, 450mm fl.
(An Astro-Physics 2"-2X Barlow and TeleVue 3" long extender was used for an effective focal lenght of 1100mm, @ fl6)
Mount: German equatorial: Astro-Physics 400 and wood tripod.
Filter: Thousand Oaks Optical, Type 2, full aperture.
Film Type: Fugi Super HG-IOO.
Exposure: Rows 1,2,4,5.... 1/30 sec; row 3....1/15 sec.
Camera Type: 35mm; Olympus OM-ln.
Site Data: Location N 40° 22' 37.03" , W 87" 57' 36.71" ( = 12 mi. NE of Rantoul, IL.).
Weather Conditions: perfectly clear, 70° F.
Technical Details: Each image in rows 1,2,4,5 were taken 10 min. apart. Images in row 3 were taken 3 min. apart. The 35mm frames were converted to photo CD; from which a computer file was made. Photoshop was used to combine the images and a film recorder was used for the final 4x5 negative output. Full resolution (2000 dpi) was used throughout all digital processing. A Canon A-l camcorder was also piggy backed on top of the telescope. Both time lapse and real time footage was recorded.
Comments: It was a perfect day; the weather was perfect, the location was excellent and the equipment worked great! The visual impact of the "ring of fire" will endure in my mind forever. A perfectly centered eclipse along with baily's beads at second and third contacts are shown.
DF
Email Dan Folz at
danfolz@voyager.net