I thought this might be of interest for those planning on imaging the 2024 total eclipse. I traveled to Tennessee in 2017 to image the total solar Eclipse. Fortunately in 2024 I will have 3 min 09 secs of totality in my Allen Texas backyard.
Fred Espenak.......Mr. Eclipse has a lot of helpful information about imaging the eclipse.
https://www.mreclipse.com/Mr. Espenak is an extremely respected authority on eclipse anything!!!
I used Eclipse Orchestrator Pro automation software to photograph the 2017 eclipse. I would never attempt imaging the total eclipse without full automation software of some kind. By looking at the video I produced, you can get an idea of the varying exposures that might be needed to successfully capture the important features of an eclipse. The key thing is accurate timing of course. I purchased a used Nikon D300s body on Amazon that was pretty weary and worn but worked perfectly.
For 2024 I'm using a simple GPS dongle on my scopes computer linked to the NMEATime application to synchronize the system clock. Eclipse Orchestrator Pro uses the PC's clock. It's very critical to get the timing exact for the various exposures of the specific features like Bailey's Beads or Diamonds. The progression from 1 Bailey's Bead to 2 or 3 occurs over about 2 seconds in the 2017 eclipse images.
The only scare was when the scoped performed a meridian flip sometime before totality and ripped my Nikon camera cable apart. Due to an ironic stroke of luck, I ordered by accident an extra cable and by accident again had it with me.
Equipment
Telescope Optic: TMB 92 f5.5 Signature
Camera: Nikon 300S
Mount: AstroPhysics Mach1
Software: APCC, MaximDL,
Eclipse Orchestrator Pro Sequencing
Location: Center Hill Lake Dam RV Park
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