Photograph the Mercury Transit of the Sun

On Monday November 11th this year we have a rare opportunity to photograph a transit of Mercury across the sun.

A typical transit lasts several hours, but it only happens 13 or 14 times per century. The next transit will be in 2032.

A lens in the region of 300mm or longer is recommended, although you might get images with a 200mm lens. If you are successful, you can expect to see mercury as a small black dot on the sun.
The image above was taken with a 300mm lens and cropped.

PREPERATION
You will need to buy a protective solar film, and create a filter for your lens before the event.
The recommended film costs around £15 and is available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baader-Planetarium-AstroSolar-Solar-Filter/dp/B072XPB9NS/ref=asc_df_B072XPB9NS/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=%7Bcreative%7D&hvpos=%7Badposition%7D&hvnetw=o&hvrand=%7Brandom%7D&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=%7Bdevicemodel%7D&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413738002056&th=1

Creating a filter for your lens is fairly simple, and there are many tutorials on YouTube … for example ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHdLQn7V0ME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIF60nFfjE4

Sunset is at 16:19

SAFETY
I’m sure everyone will be aware of this however just to make it clear ….
Never look at the sun through the camera viewfinder even with the filter attached as you can damage your eyesight.
You must use a filter, and only use live view to focus the image, and take photos.

Of course, we will need a clear sky … fingers crossed :)

MEETING POINT and PARKING
Viewpoint Car Park (free) Epsom Downs, Grandstand Road, Epsom KT18 5LQ
what3words address ... https://w3w.co/fuzzy.moon.precautions

There is a £2 attendance fee to cover the cost of running the group.
Please pay at the meeting point.
Thank you