Planning the 2024 Solar Eclipse in Dallas, Texas, USA
After much effort, I finally managed to process everything and complete all the tasks. Now that I am back in Switzerland, I can share my work with you. Here is the first part of the total solar eclipse that took place on April 8th, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
For this event, I set up two cameras at different locations to capture the phenomenon from various angles. Additionally, I positioned one camera in New York, although it only managed to capture a partial view of the eclipse.
The weather in Dallas, Texas was poor with too many clouds. I could only photograph the total maximum eclipse and Contact C3. The clouds blocked everything else. See Video
My Collection of Gear for Experiencing the Total Solar Eclipse:
Equipment
Camera : Canon EOS 6D Markii
Lens : EF 75 – 300mm f/5.6
Settings : 1/4000s – 1.4s – f/5.6 – ISO 100
Mount : Rollei C5i + SkyWatcher – Solarquest
Solar Filter : Baader ND 0.3
Here’s a photo of my equipment, including my camera. I designed this setup to stay under the airline weight limit. Both Swiss and American Airlines require hand luggage to be under 8 kg and within
55 x 40 x 23 cm.
Totally Path of the Solar Eclipse.
I planned the location, considering two places. New York was outside the total eclipse path. I chose Dallas, Texas, for its hot, sunny weather and proximity to Mexico. It’s better than the north, with its cold and cloudy skies. We astrophotographers need clear, cloudless skies.
Planning was strict and time-consuming. Eclipse planning requires six months to a year. Many factors impact good photos, especially weather. A back-up location is essential to manage everything at two sites. If bad weather occurs, use the back-up.
Key Details About the Solar Eclipse:
- Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
- Duration of Totality: Depending on the location, it lasted up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds—making it one of the longest solar eclipses of this century.
- Path of Totality: It began over the Pacific Ocean, crossed central Mexico, moved through the U.S. (from Texas to Maine), and ended in Canada (Newfoundland).
- Most Stunning Phase: During totality, the Sun’s corona—the outer atmosphere—became visible, a phenomenon that can only be observed during total solar eclipses.
How the solar eclipse works – C1,C2, Max C3,C4:
Partial Eclipse Begins (1st Contact – C1): The Moon starts to move across the solar disk.
Total Eclipse Begins (2nd Contact – C2): The solar disk is almost fully covered by the Moon. This is the moment to capture phenomena like Baily’s Beads and the Diamond Ring effect.
Totality and Maximum Eclipse (Max.): The Moon completely obscures the Sun, leaving only its outer atmosphere, the corona, visible. The sky darkens, and temperatures drop noticeably.
Total Eclipse Ends (3rd Contact – C3): The Moon starts to uncover the solar disk. Once again, just before totality ends, you can photograph the Baily’s Beads and the Diamond Ring effect.
Partial Eclipse Ends (4th Contact – C4): The Moon fully moves away from the solar disk, marking the end of the eclipse.
| Location | Partial Begins | Totality Begins | Maximum | Totality Ends | Partial Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, Texas | 12:23 p.m. CDT | 1:40 p.m. CDT | 1:42 p.m. CDT | 1:44 p.m. CDT | 3:02 p.m. CDT |
| Idabel, Oklahoma | 12:28 p.m. CDT | 1:45 p.m. CDT | 1:47 p.m. CDT | 1:49 p.m. CDT | 3:06 p.m. CDT |
| Little Rock, Arkansas | 12:33 p.m. CDT | 1:51 p.m. CDT | 1:52 p.m. CDT | 1:54 p.m. CDT | 3:11 p.m. CDT |
| Poplar Bluff, Missouri | 12:39 p.m. CDT | 1:56 p.m. CDT | 1:56 p.m. CDT | 2:00 p.m. CDT | 3:15 p.m. CDT |
| Paducah, Kentucky | 12:42 p.m. CDT | 2:00 p.m. CDT | 2:01 p.m. CDT | 2:02 p.m. CDT | 3:18 p.m. CDT |
| Carbondale, Illinois | 12:42 p.m. CDT | 1:59 p.m. CDT | 2:01 p.m. CDT | 2:03 p.m. CDT | 3:18 p.m. CDT |
| Evansville, Indiana | 12:45 p.m. CDT | 2:02 p.m. CDT | 2:04 p.m. CDT | 2:05 p.m. CDT | 3:20 p.m. CDT |
| Cleveland, Ohio | 1:59 p.m. EDT | 3:13 p.m. EDT | 3:15 p.m. EDT | 3:17 p.m. EDT | 4:29 p.m. EDT |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | 2:02 p.m. EDT | 3:16 p.m. EDT | 3:18 p.m. EDT | 3:20 p.m. EDT | 4:30 p.m. EDT |
| Buffalo, New York | 2:04 p.m. EDT | 3:18 p.m. EDT | 3:20 p.m. EDT | 3:22 p.m. EDT | 4:32 p.m. EDT |
| Burlington, Vermont | 2:14 p.m. EDT | 3:26 p.m. EDT | 3:27 p.m. EDT | 3:29 p.m. EDT | 4:37 p.m. EDT |
| Lancaster, New Hampshire | 2:16 p.m. EDT | 3:27 p.m. EDT | 3:29 p.m. EDT | 3:30 p.m. EDT | 4:38 p.m. EDT |
| Caribou, Maine | 2:22 p.m. EDT | 3:32 p.m. EDT | 3:33 p.m. EDT | 3:34 p.m. EDT | 4:40 p.m. EDT |
How Many People Witnessed the Eclipse?
Experts estimated that over 50 million people along the path of totality experienced the eclipse directly. Additionally, hundreds of millions more witnessed a partial eclipse, as large parts of North America were within the partial eclipse zone.
Safety Precautions : Protect your Eyes
Always remember that your safety is the top priority when taking pictures of the sun. “Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Use special solar filters or eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.”
