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Annular Solar Eclipse Maldives Rannalhi 15.01.2010

The solar eclipse occured on 15th of January 2010. I've observed the eclipse from the beautiful Maldives at the island Rannalhi which is very closed to the equator. My location was directly at the north beach of the island very closed to my bungalow (room number 138). I've joined a group of italian astronomers (Daniela, Roberta, Franco, Maurizio, Ferruccio, Paolo and the famous Dobson man: many greetings!!!). We had lots of fun during the eclipse.

The eclipse was dramatic. The eclipse started with a blue sky. But 90 minutes  prior to the maximum we had heavy rainfall and all the equipment was transferred to the terrace of our bungalow. Luckily for us the sun came back 30 minutes prior to the maximum. The maximum was visible and 30 minutes prior to the end of the eclipse we had heavy rainfall too. 

I've taken nearly 2000 images with two camers (Nikon D5000 with the famous Nikon 200mm - 600mm lens and a Nikon D40x with a 500mm mirror lens) and a camcorder. Below are the best images. Please click on the image to get the full picture.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.14 - 14.32 local time
Location: Island Rannalhi, Maldives
Coordinates: +3° 54' 12.8" North, +73°, 21' 22.9" East

Cameras: Nikon D5000, Nikon D40x
Lenses: Nikon 200mm - 600mm focal length, 500mm mirror lens

Cheers!

Michael Seeboerger-Weichselbaum


DSC_0733.JPG
 The small island Rannalhi in the Maldives. 


Exposure time: 1/400 sec
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D 5000
Lens: 18mm
Tripod: -

PIC05122.JPG
 Our viewing site at the north beach of the island Rannalhi.


Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 9.55
Exposure time: 1/1149 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Fujitsu-Siemens 4MDC
Lens: build in
Tripod: -

PIC05133.JPG
 Michael's equipment:

On the left: Nikon D5000 and the famous Nikon 200mm - 600mm lens on the tripod Triton FX. Click here for a more detailed view of the lens.

On the right: The Celestron mount NexStar 1 SE with a Nikon D40x and Nikon 500mm mirror lens and  a camcorder JVC GZ-MS 100. Click here for a more detailed view of the lens.



Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 9.50
Exposure time: 1/2000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Fujitsu-Siemens 4MDC
Lens: build in
Tripod: -

DSC_0010.JPG
 Some minutes prior to the start of the eclipse: the sun without the moon. Please pay attention to the group of sunspots at 12 o'clock (see picture below for details).

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.12
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0010_zoomin.JPG
 These are the sunspots of the eclipse. This picture is a detailed view of the picture above.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.12
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0013.JPG
 The moon comes around at 2 o'clock

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.14
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0039.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.28
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0065.JPG
 Between this pictures and the next picture we had a break of about nearly one hour because of heavy rainfall.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.47
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

PIC05147.JPG
 Heavy rainfall during the eclipse.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 11.20
Exposure time: 1/64 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Fujitsu-Siemens 4MDC
Lens: Build-in
Tripod: -

DSC_0092.JPG
 The sun appears after one hour of heavy rainfall.
 
Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 11.46
Exposure time: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0160.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.01
Exposure time: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0195.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.10
Exposure time: 1/400 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0265.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.17
Exposure time: 1/250 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0313.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.18
Exposure time: 1/50 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0333.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.19
Exposure time: 1/640 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0341.JPG
 The maximum has started - a small ring of fire around the moon.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.19
Exposure time: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0361.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.19
Exposure time: 1/500 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0382.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.20
Exposure time: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0411.JPG
 I've switched the focal length of the lens down to 200mm - amazing!

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.20
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 200mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0419.JPG
 The sun with 300mm

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.20
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 300mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0427.JPG
 The sun with 400mm

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.21
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 400mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0433.JPG
 The sun with 500mm

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.21
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 500mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0446.JPG
 Back to 600mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.21
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0522.JPG
 We are in the middle of the maximum of the eclipse.
The ring of fire around the moon is really beautiful.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.23
Exposure time: 1/3200 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0606.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.25
Exposure time: 1/1600 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0655.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.27
Exposure time: 1/1000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0667.JPG
 I've switched the focal length of the lens down to 200mm again.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.27
Exposure time: 1/1000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 200mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0718.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.29
Exposure time: 1/800 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0741.JPG
 The last shot with the ring of fire around the moon.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.29
Exposure time: 1/1000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0769.JPG
 That's it - the ring of fire is gone.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.30
Exposure time: 1/1000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0830.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.32
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_0999.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.42
Exposure time: 1/1250 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1095.JPG
 Please pay attention to the sunspots which appear an the moon's horizon. See the follwoing picture for details.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.50
Exposure time: 1/1250 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1095_zoomin.JPG
 This picture is a detailed view of the picture above.  You can see the sunspots appearing. You can see the umbra as well as the penumbra of the sunspots.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 12.50
Exposure time: 1/1250 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1208.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.04
Exposure time: 1/500 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1208_zoomin.JPG
 The sunspots are back! This picture is a detailed view of the picture above.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.04
Exposure time: 1/500 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1237.JPG
 Switched to 200mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.12
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 200mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1240.JPG
 Switched to 300mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.13
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 300mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1248.JPG
 Switched to 400mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.14
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 400mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1254.JPG
 Switched to 500mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.15
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 500mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1263.JPG
 Back to 600mm foacl length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.17
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1305.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.36
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1340.JPG
 Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.55
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1342.JPG
 Switched to 200mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.55
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 200mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1347.JPG
 Switched to 300mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.56
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 300mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1351.JPG
 Switched to 400mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.56
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 400mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1354.JPG
 Switched to 500mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.56
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 500mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1369.JPG
 Back to 600mm focal length

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 13.57
Exposure time: 1/160 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

DSC_1394.JPG
 That's it - the final picture of the eclipse - one minute after this picture has been taken heavy rainfall started.

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 14.01
Exposure time: 1/4000 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D5000
Lens: Nikon 600mm focal length
Tripod: Triton FX

PIC05132.JPG
 Astronomers at work: Franco (left) and Maurizio (right)  observe the sun

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 10.01
Exposure time: 1/1414 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Fujitsu-Siemens 4MDC
Lens: build in
Tripod: -

PIC05121.JPG
 The gang: Daniela, Maurizio, Roberta, Franco (from left to right).

Date and Time: 15.01.2010, 9.45
Exposure time: 1/406 sec
ISO: 100
Camera: Fujitsu-Siemens 4MDC
Lens: build in
Tripod: -