| Total
Solar Eclipse 2006 - Turkey |
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Witnessing
a total eclipse of the sun is a unique experience that can
not be put into words or simply reflected by a photograph.
One of the longest lasting total solar eclipses of the century
will take place in March 29, 2006. Its magnitude will be
1.05151 and will last 4 min 7 seconds.
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On March 29, the eclipse can be observed in a wide band
of 120 km. that starts from the Mediterranean, continues
towards central Turkey and leaves the country in the direction
of the Black Sea.
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| The
wide band allows observers to enjoy this celestial event from
alternative locations... |
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| An
eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into a
position of direct alignment with the Sun and the Earth. Not
all solar eclipses are total. During a partial solar eclipse,
only the penumbra touches our planet. The umbra passes either
just above the North Pole or just below the South Pole, completely
missing the Earth. No total eclipse is visible, only partial
phases can be seen. |
| Eclipses
do not occur every month during a new Moon or a full Moon.
This is because the orbit of the Moon is tilted by about five
degrees with respect to the Earth’s orbit, so that usually
the Moon passes slightly above or below the line between the
Sun and the Earth. Thus at most new and full Moons, the shadows
miss their mark and no eclipse occurs. To see a total solar
eclipse, you have to be in the path of totality. With fewer
than 70 total eclipses per century, the chance to see one
is for most of us a once-in-a-lifetime event. |
| Eclipse
means "leave, abandon" in ancient Greek.
The diameter of the sun is 400 times the diameter of the moon,
and the sun is 400 times further in distance from the earth
than the moon. If the moon was slightly smaller, or further
from the earth, there would never be a total solar eclipse. |
| The
sun and the moon had a big influence on the Turkish mythology.
The surreal nature of the eclipse was connected to religious
events, and explained as the brief times that the evil took
over the good. Folk heroes were also identified with sun and
moon. |
| A
Turkish Sufi in her mid 60s says; 'I remember from my childhood
that the people of the neighborhood, either on the street
or hanging down from their windows and balconies, used to
beat pots and pans and make this funny, laud voice as the
sun darkened. Why the sun darkened, neither I nor the other
kids knew. We cared only for the mesmerizing fun of making
noise'. |
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200
mm |
400
mm |
500
mm |
1000
mm |
1500
mm |
2000
mm |
| Taking
pictures - The type of the picture you want to take
will be the first step to figure out the equipment you will
need. Regardless of whichever type of picture you want to
take, or type of equipment you will use, try your equipment
before the day of the eclipse! |
| You
will still need a solar filter as the sun will be very bright
even when the moon is blocking %99 of the sun. Only moment
that you can look at the sun without a filter is when the
sun is totally covered by the moon. If you want to picture
this moment, you have to remove the solar filter from lens. |
| The
best solar filter that can be used for photographing is metal-coated
glass ones that transmit a realistic orange sun, although
you can use aluminized Mylar filters. The latter one will
transmit a blue-gray Sun, but they are less expensive. You
should not use crossed Polaroid filters, exposed color film
and stacked neutral density filters. |
| The
ideal solar filters are full-aperture and off-axis ones. The
others, eyepiece filters, may shatter or crack due to the
high heat generated, and the sun’s light will be magnified
and focused on your retina. Do not use these! If you will
be using an off-axis solar filter, remember that the focus
will change when you remove the filter at the moment of total
eclipse, so you will need to refocus real fast! This is not
needed if you use a full-aperture solar filter. |
| A
faster print film (400 or faster) will work much better with
lesser light and especially if you do not have a very steady
hand. |
| An
important criteria are the lens you choose. For focal length
of 35 mm or less wide-angle lenses, for a range of 45 mm to
70 mm normal lenses, for 105 mm and more telephoto lenses
can be used. If you use a tele-convertor additional magnification
can be obtained. These units are placed between the camera
and the lens and increase the focal length by 1.4 to 2 times. |
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Unstable, low quality tripods are the reason for blurred photographs.
The tripod you choose should be able to handle the weight
of your camera, lens and telephoto at the same time, and should
not vibrate when touched. For higher stability, do not extend
the legs of the tripod more than half way and do not extend
the center column. Hanging some weight down the center column
of the tripod will decrease vibrations. |
Protecting
Your Eyes - While getting prepared to view the eclipse,
you should not forget to have proper eye protection, otherwise
the strong effect of the sun can cause permanent eye damage
or even blindness! What you should not use includes color
film, non silver black and white films, x-ray films, smoked
glass, polarizing filters, and photographic neutral density
filters. Solar filters sold with inexpensive telescopes may
also be also dangerous.
As you look at the sun, not feeling discomfort does not mean
your eyes are protected! |
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