The Report of Photography Group of ATCA

by Laleh Azizi

The photography group started its work two months before the eclipse under the supervision of Mr. Mohammad Rahimi. At first, the exact time of exposure for different phases of the eclipse were computated by referring to various resources such as photography books, Astronomy and Sky & Telescope and internet. Of course, since these times were provided theoretically, we decided to get the exposure times experimentally, too. The photography group recruited its nine members in July and started its own practices. Almost everyday, we did our practices; and within a few weeks we had different photos of the Sun with different exposure times so that we got the best exposure time based on the present filter. In this experiment, we mostly used consumed radiology filters. We were briefed about the work to be done in the particular day by the person in charge at the beginning of every session; and some time was spent on watching the photos and slides taken in the previous session. The order dominant in the group was worth praising; and we had an active and cordial group, all working hard for the same unity.

After many practices, repeated sessions and close studies, we came to the time of going to Chadegan, while we had not received the required equipment yet; and we slightly changed the programs based on what we already had. The last practices were carried out in Chadegan. The group did its best out of what they had to the extend that attracted the attention of the foreign groups, who praised the group.

Mohammad Rahimi and Mohammad Rafiei Nia were in charge of working with Meade 12" telescope who repeatedly did the polarization and loading ( for the purpose of balancing the telescope ). Photography was also repeatedly done in order to get the best exposure speed. The photos of Meade telescope in partial eclipse were taken every five minutes with different exposure. Four minutes before the eclipse they removed the filter from the telescope and balanced the telescope again and waited for the total eclipse; and while the eclipse was taking place they tried to take some other photos with other exposure, considering exposure indices, in order to compare the photos and get the most fruitful results. After the total eclipse, they installed the filters again and every five minutes they took photos from different phases of the partial eclipse.

Roohollah Chupan and Ali Foroughi were in charge of working with tele lens 1000mm and positive film ( slide ). After comprehensive argument, they came to the conclusion that, instead of a tripod, they use an 8" telescope for installing the camera. It was deciede to fasten the tele and NICON camera to the telescope and follow the Sun this way. But the main problem was the fact that the telescope neither had weighing material nor special bolt for joining the camera to the body. Although it was difficult, they coped with this problem at the end. Then they started their photography with slide and tele 1000mm making use of the best exposure and focus. But during the last days the program was changed due to the shortage of cameras; and we decided to use ZENITH camera instead of NICON. So they had to do their practices for two days again. Photography was done every seven minutes and when the edge of the moon reached to the Sun spots. The filter used was Mylar. A few days prior to the eclipse, they decided to attach a camera to the back of the telescope and take some photos of the solar flares. Of Course, this was not part of the program of the group; and due the shortage of time for practice they could not manage to focus the telescope precisely.

( the photos will be added later )

Mahdi Eshaghi and Miss. Arezu Motavallizadeh were in charge of working with tele lens 500mm. The work was divided into two parts: photography with the polarization filter and photography from the phenomena such as the diamond ring, Baily's beads, solar flares and external corona. Polarization was such that the polaroid filter was fastened in front of the tele lens and 180 was divided into four 45 in order to take four photos in the positions of 0, 45, 90, and 135. The sensitivity of ASA 200 film was with the exposure of 4" for each photo. Then the filter was dismantled and they took photos from the external corona, solar flares, Baily's beads and diamond ring. During the partial eclipse, every ten minutes photography was done using Mylar filter.

Photography with LUBITER camera was doun by Amir Hossein Mozaffari who was in charge of following the Sun on a frame making use of radiology filter. The other trace which was taken with NICON camera was done by Miss. Malihe Salehi, who was supposed to register the eclipse on a frame from the beginning to the end. She made use of radiology filter and 35mm lens; and the photography was done every five minutes on an ASA 100 film.

( the photos will be added later )

I ( Laleh Azizi ) was in charge of photography with 50mm lens and ASA 200 film; and I was engaged in photography around the Sun during the total eclipse in order to find the possible comets.

( the photos will be added later )

Despite many problem for getting the facilities required, we made best use of what we had and did our job with success, of course, under the outstanding supervision of Mr. Rahimi and the hard work of the group. Those who impatiently were waiting to have the Sun covered hope to have their group firmly established and remain to register this amazing phenomenon many times for the future generation.