Partial Eclipse 2022

Introduction | Photos of the Partial Eclipse | Photos of the Equipment | Links

Introduction

On October 25, 2022 a partial solar eclipse could be observed in parts of Europe, about one year after the one on June 10, 2021. In contrast to the previous partial solar eclipse, the degree of coverage from north to south was about 35% (Isle of Rügen) to 15% (Geneva), that is, a little higher than in the year before. So this eclipse was similarly unspectacular as the previous one. Depending on the location, the observation time varied again; here in Mühlhausen (Kraichgau) it was about between 11:10 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. (maximum was at about 12:10 a.m.). For details, see the links below or Wikipedia. Actually, quite good weather was predicted, but large parts of the partial solar eclipse were hidden behind clouds, especially after the maximum, through which the sun winked briefly only now and then. And once again, I ended up being ill-prepared for the event, I simply do not learn!

This time again, I used a telescope for the observations (we also used special glasses). I used my Celestron C5 (without reducer) with my 32 mm Digiscope eyepiece (Plössl), resulting in a magnification of 40x. Once again, I used the manual AZ Pronto mount, and put the C5 on it. With the help of the flexible shafts and some luck, I then found the sun fairly soon! Since the sun now moved out of the field of view again and again, I could not wait too long, until I moved the tube to capture the sun again. Otherwise, it would have become again a painful search. in. When the clouds became thicker, and the sun appeared only briefly, I was no longer able to "capture" the sun and tried my luck with the Sony RX10 M4. In the end, however, I had massive focusing issues with it and all the photos from the final phase of the eclipse were blurred.

With the 32 mm Digiscope eyepiece the sun fitted well into the field of view. I wanted to attach my Sony RX100 M4 to this eyepiece using adapters (see page Sony RX100 M4 Attached to Telescope). Unfortunately, I started my search for the adapters a bit late... But I found everything that I needed and attached the camera to the eyepiece, which simplified the whole matter a lot. I used the LCD panel to determine the image section, and later a Sony RM-SPR1 remote control to release the shutter. I had a little trouble with focusing using autofocus; it mostly worked when I set the metering field to the edge of the sun. I used A mode and underexposed slightly; otherwise the sun would haven been completely white. I also saw sunspots this time (two big ones and three small ones), and these were best to see when the sun was covered by light clouds.

This time, of course, no darkening could be noticed, because of the small sun coverage.

By the way: The next solar eclipse will be visible in Germany on March 29, 2025. It will also be partial one.

Photos of the Partial Eclipse

A few comments on the photos below:

RX100 M4
- The time was set incorrectly for the camera (Sony RX100 M4): it was about 18 minutes ahead of the actual time. I corrected the time stamps accordingly - you should not take the values too seriously.
- Important camera settings: A mode, ISO Auto, focal length 24-50 mm equivalent , EV mostly -0.7 and -1.0.
RX10 M4
- The time was set incorrectly for the camera (Sony RX10 M4): it was about 3 minutes behind the actual time. I corrected the time stamps accordingly - you should not take the values too seriously.
- Important camera settings: A mode, ISO Auto, focal length mostly at about 600 mm equivalent (at the beginning about 300 mm), EV mostly -1.0.

If you click a thumb nail, a larger version of the image will appear in a new window. You have to close this new window manually.

Before the Maximum (Sony RX100 M4)
11:54-18 = 11:36 a.m.	12:00-18 = 11:42 a.m.	12:04-18 = 11:46 a.m.
12:17-18 = 11:59 a.m.	12:24-18 = 12:06 a.m.	12:25-18=12:07 a.m.
12:26-18 = 12:08 a.m.	12:27-18 = 12:09 a.m.	12:28-19 = 12:10 a.m.

Partial Solar Eclipse, October 25, 2022 - Sony RX100 M4 on C5 with 32 mm eyepiece
After the Maximum (Sony RX10 M4)
12:55+3 = 12:58 a.m.	12:55+3 = 12:58 a.m.	12:56+3 = 12:59 a.m.
12:56+3= 12:59 a.m.	12:59+3 = 1:02 p.m.	1:00+3 = 1:03 p.m.
1:00+3 = 1:03 p.m.	1:00+3 = 1:03 p.m.	1:00+3 = 1:03 p.m.
1:00+3 = 1:03 p.m.	1:01+3 = 1:04 p.m.	1:01+3 = 1:04 p.m.
1:01+3 = 1:04 p.m.	1:01+3 = 1:04 p.m.	1:01+3 = 1:04 p.m.
1:05+3 = 1:08 p.m.	1:07+3 = 1:10 p.m.	1:08+3 = 1:11 p.m.

Partial Solar Eclipse, October 25, 2022 - Sony RX10 M4

Sun Spots

12:04-18 = 11:46 a.m.	12:24-18 = 12:06 a.m.
12:25-18=12:07 a.m.	12:26-18 = 12:08 a.m.
12:27-18 = 12:09 a.m.	12:28-18 = 12:10 a.m.

Partial Solar Eclipse, October 25, 2022 - Sony RX100 M4 on C5 with 32 mm eyepiece

Photos of the Equipment

C5 on AZ Pronto, Sony RX100 M4

Ditto

Sony RX10M4 and special sun glasses

Partial Eclipse 2022

Introduction

Photos of the Partial Eclipse

Before the Maximum (Sony RX100 M4)

After the Maximum (Sony RX10 M4)

Sun Spots

Photos of the Equipment

Links

German-Speaking Links