Total Solar Eclipse, Oregon - August 21, 2017

The photographs below show the total solar eclipse that occurred on August 21, 2017. These rare events occur when the moon aligns with the sun as seen from from a given location on Earth causing it to block out the sun. Using modern lingo: the moon is photobombing the sun!

I took these photographs near Madras, Oregon through a small telescope and a DSLR camera. I've been waiting and planning for this eclipse ever since I learned about it in high school in 1973. I spent about a year getting my photography setup together and practiced using it so I would be able to operate the camera without looking at it. By doing so, I could enjoy the eclipse with my eyes while taking photographs. The sky gets very dark during a total solar eclipse so the brighter planets and stars can be seen.

In the lower left corner of the photograph that shows the outer corona is the star Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo. The brightness of the corona varies significantly with it fading away as you look farther from the sun. I combined a wide range of exposures to create the photograph of the corona.

The sun with a very small nibble taken out of it just after 1st contact.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

The moon just about to start covering up a large sunspot group during the partial phase of the eclipse.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

This is similar to what my family and friends in Phoenix, Arizona were able to see at maximum during the partial phase of the eclipse.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

A nice crescent sun during the partial phase of the eclipse.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

A razor thin crescent sun just before the start of totality.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

Baily's beads just as totality was starting. The beads are created by sunlight streaming through valleys on the moon's limb.
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

Totality and the outer corona! This is similar to what you can see with your eyes. The bright star Regulus is in the lower right of the photograph.
Exposure: Composite of exposures from 1/250 sec to 1/2 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

The diamond ring at the end of totality (3rd contact).
Exposure: 1/1000 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

This is just before totality ended and shows the inner corona and prominences (flares) on the sun quite well.
Exposure: 1/500 sec, f/5, ISO 100, raw mode

Photographer: Rick Scott
Date: August 21, 2017
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Orion ShortTube 80 Telescope (equivalent to a 400 mm f/5 lens)
Tracking Mount: iOptron AZ Mount Pro

Processing done with Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Updated: September 17, 2017