Solar Eclipse May 2012 (general info)

On May 20th 2012 in the evening we'll have an Annular Solar Eclipse. Annular means that the moon does not fully cover the sun like at a total eclipse. This eclipse will be not very far away (Northern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona..) See here a map of the area where you have to be to see the eclipse:

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2012May20Agoogle.html

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/f/3/c/event_93912092.jpeg
Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC

The Eclipse starts around 5pm with the partial eclipse and turns into the Annular Eclipse around 6:30pm when you are between the blue lines on the map above (for exact time please check the map).

Sonora and Tioga Pass are OPEN!

This meetup event is only to inform you about places, times and what else you need to know about the Solar Eclipse.

For Lake Tahoe/ Reno area join this meetup event:
https://www.meetup.com/NightPhotography/events/65189092/

For Lassen National Park area join this meetup event:
https://www.meetup.com/NightPhotography/events/65087762/

For Honey Lake and Pyramid Lake join this meetup event:
https://www.meetup.com/NightPhotography/events/65190132/

Here a website with observations and suggestions for this event:
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~jander/ase2012/ase12intro.htm

IMPORTANT: Because the sun won't be fully covered you have to wear proper protection for your eyes even during the eclipse. You will also need a filter (ND filter or similar) for your camera to protect the sensor when taking pictures with telephoto/zoom lens.
You need at least a 10 stop (ND3.0) ND filter (or combination of filters) to safely take pictures with telephoto lens of the sun and be able to see sun spots.
For wide angle shots you don't a ND filter as long as you don't expose the sensor for several seconds, please refer to the camera manufacturer for acurate information. We are not responsible for any camera damage.
mor information about solar filter here on Steven's blog: http://blog.starcircleacademy.com/2012/04/solar-filter/

Keep in mind the sun will be relatively high in the sky during the eclipse around 19° Northern California, around 15° Nevada and around 10° Utah/Arizona (check the map above for more acurate information). This important if you consider taking standard/wide angle pictures.
Be prepared!: scout out locations, have alternate location in case of bad weather and test your equipment before the event.

Solar Eclipse viewing events in the Bay Area:
http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/news/bay-area-public-viewing-partial-eclipse-sun-may-20-2012
http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/ready-for-the-eclipse-how-to-view-it-safely-41c76507

Safe solar viewing glasses you can buy here:
http://www.rainbowsymphonystore.com/annular-solar-eclipse-2012.html (25+ bulk quantities)
http://www.scientificsonline.com/eclipse-shades.html (single quantities but more than twice the price)
If you want more than 10 go with the bulk.

Please add in your comments of your RSVP what you want (just the eclipse or also scenic foreground) and far you want to go (how many hours of driving or if you take Monday of).You can add a comment when you click on change RSVP (leave it on Yes and add your comment in the text box below).

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/b/6/event_99199382.jpeg
Here's how the sun will be covered when you are in the Bay Area during the eclipse.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/c/0/event_99199392.jpeg

And here when you are in the center of the path.

Check out the photo album here to see some sun pictures taken with ND and solar filters: https://www.meetup.com/NightPhotography/photos/6482292

More information and discussion about this event here:
https://www.meetup.com/NightPhotography/messages/boards/thread/20522452