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The August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in 4K Video

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The August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in 4K Video
By: Brian Ventrudo

The August 21, 2017 solar eclipse was likely the most photographed and widely observed astronomical event in history. The eclipse also happened at a time when technologically advanced and affordable camera gear arrived in the hands of capable astrophotographers. There are plenty of fine images and videos out there, but here are a couple of superb 4K video productions that captured the drama and sheer beauty of this long-anticipated event.

The first video was created by the expert photographer Alan Dyer. This was Alan's 16th total solar eclipse since his first in 1979, and the first he was able to drive to. So he came fully packed with gear including one telescope, two mounts, and five DSLR cameras. Alan set up in the Tetons north of Driggs, Idaho, in a beautiful spot with almost no one else around. He also came with a very clear plan to image this event, and you can see the result below.

Here's another video made by Erick Oh and his colleagues at Rainbow Astro at an observation location near Warm Springs, Idaho. The images here don't include wide-angle landscapes like the above video, but they were taken at higher magnification and show much more detail along the limb of the Moon and Sun including several prominences and close-ups of Baily's Beads and the Diamond Ring effect.

And this video by Don Davis, a crop of a full-dome panorama of the sky, comes close to showing the range of color visible in the sky during the eclipse.

Perhaps these videos will help you plan and get inspired for the next eclipse in North America in 2024? Camera technology will advance by then, but there's no substitute for skill and practice when it comes to getting the best images and video of a total solar eclipse.

Brian Ventrudo
About the Author

Brian Ventrudo is a writer, scientist, and astronomy educator. He received his first telescope at the age of 5 and completed his first university course in astronomy at the age of 12, eventually receiving a master's degree in the subject. He also holds a Ph.D. in engineering physics from McMaster University. During a twenty-year scientific career, he developed laser systems to detect molecules found in interstellar space and planetary atmospheres, and leveraged his expertise to create laser technology for optical communications networks. Since 2008, Brian has taught astronomy to tens of thousands of stargazers through his websites OneMinuteAstronomer.com and CosmicPursuits.com.

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