The partial Solar Eclipse of 12-08-2026
On 12 August 2026, I photographed the partial solar eclipse from my hometown of Heiloo in the Netherlands. During the eclipse, the Moon covered approximately 90% of the Sun. Of course I have photographed and seen eclipses in the past, as you can see here on this page, but I had never experienced anything quite like this. What surprised me most was how dark it actually became around the peak of the eclipse at 20:11. The sky also took on a beautiful amber colour, which really made us realize that we were looking at something special. It was simply incredible to experience.
Because I wanted to create the eclipse timeline you can see above, I decided to take a series of images at intervals of exactly 10 minutes and 48 seconds. My goal was to capture at least five images before the 90% maximum, one during the peak, and another five afterwards. But by the end of the eclipse, the Sun had already dropped quite low towards the horizon. I could see the treeline beginning to appear in my images, so I decided to leave out the final few shots and simply enjoy the sunset before heading home.
In the days leading up to the eclipse, I had practiced with the entire setup several times and simulated how the evening would unfold, so that everything would go as smoothly as possible on the actual day. I am very glad I did. I had an amazing time standing in the open field with friends, watching the sky slowly change as the Moon passed in front of the Sun. It was an unforgettable experience, and I already cannot wait for the next eclipse in 2027!
Acquisition details:
Gear used:
🔭 William Optics Redcat 51 MK2.5
⚙️ ZWO AM3N
📸 ZWO ASI533MC
The partial Solar Eclipse of 29-03-2025
On 24 March 24 2025, I captured this mosaic image of the Sun during the partial solar eclipse, where the Moon covered 24% of the Sun's surface. The weather was challenging, with fast-moving clouds making the process quite difficult. However, I was able to photograph the event using my Askar 103APO telescope and the ZWO ASI2600MC AIR camera. The mosaic consists of 2 separate parts, carefully stitched together to create a sharp and detailed view of the Sun. (Somehow I mirrored the image, but I didn’t realize that before added all the text haha).
Since this was my second solar eclipse that I could photograph, I knew what to expect. With some quick adjustments and a bit of patience, I managed to capture the final image despite the changing conditions. It was a rewarding challenge, and I'm pleased with how the final photo turned out.
Acquisition details:
Gear used:
🔭 Askar 103APO
⚙️ Skywatcher EQ6-R
📸 ZWO ASI2600MC AIR
The partial Solar Eclipse of 25-10-2022
On October 25, 2022, I captured this mosaic image of the Sun during the partial solar eclipse here in The Netherlands, where the Moon covered 22% of the Sun's surface. The weather was perfect for the observation, and I was able to photograph the event using my old Omegon Advanced 150/750 telescope, equipped with an Omegon white light filter, and the ZWO ASI224MC planetary camera. The mosaic consists of 9 separate parts, stitched together to create a detailed and wide view of the Sun.
The fast-moving Moon was gradually covering the Sun, making it a bit tricky to keep up with the changes as I switched between different areas of the Sun. However, by quickly adjusting the shots, I managed to maintain a consistent image, and you can’t see any noticeable difference in the partially obscured region. It was an exciting challenge to capture, and the result is a beautiful image of this rare celestial event.
Acquisition details:
Gear used:
🔭 Omegon Advanced 150/750
⚙️ Skywatcher EQ5
📸 ZWO ASI224MC
The Sun’s full disc with sunspots - 17-04-2022
On 17 April 2022, I captured this mosaic image of the Sun, showcasing visible sunspots. For this shot, I used my old Omegon Advanced 150/750 telescope, equipped with an Omegon white light filter, and the ZWO ASI224MC planetary camera. The final image is made up of 9 separate parts, stitched together from a total of 1800 frames that were stacked to create a sharp and detailed view of the Sun. I also added a dot that shows the size of our Earth compared to the Sun.
Sunspots are darker areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. These regions are cooler than the surrounding areas, which is why they appear darker. Photographing the Sun, especially capturing sunspots with high resolution, is always a rewarding experience, as it reveals the Sun's active and ever-changing nature.
Acquisition details:
Gear used:
🔭 Omegon Advanced 150/750
⚙️ Skywatcher EQ5
📸 ZWO ASI224MC
The Sun’s full disc with sunspots - 11-03-2022
On 11 March 2022, I captured this mosaic image of the Sun, showing visible sunspots. To photograph this, I used my old Omegon Advanced 150/750 telescope, equipped with an Omegon white light filter, and the ZWO ASI224MC planetary camera. The image is composed of 14 separate parts, carefully stitched together in GIMP to create a detailed and wide view of our closest star.
Sunspots, which appear as dark spots on the Sun's surface, are areas of intense magnetic activity. These regions are cooler than their surroundings, which makes them appear darker. Capturing these sunspots in high detail is always an exciting challenge, and it's fascinating to observe the Sun’s dynamic nature through a telescope.
Acquisition details:
Gear used:
🔭 Omegon Advanced 150/750
⚙️ Skywatcher EQ5
📸 ZWO ASI224MC