Revealed during totality:
The exquisite corona of our Sun.
The international eclipse collaboration by Nicolas Lefaudeux and Dr John Goldsmith reveals the extraordinary beauty of the Total Solar Eclipse (20 April 2023).
(News update 13 June 2023)
Erupting solar prominences and the exquisitely delicate corona of the Sun are revealed here in this extraordinary detailed image, of the Total Solar Eclipse of 20 April 2023. This unique image is the result of an international collaboration between astrophotographers Dr John Goldsmith based in Western Australia and Nicolas Lefaudeux based in France.
John Goldsmith recorded over 200 photographs during the 62 seconds of totality, with a rig of five cameras. Nicolas Lefaudeux applied special image processing to images recorded using a 900mm f7 refractor telescope, to reveal extraordinary detail during totality. The image is produced by a “high-dynamic range” process, which effectively evens-out the bright and faint light, resulting in very fine detail being revealed.
(News update 13 June 2023)
Erupting solar prominences and the exquisitely delicate corona of the Sun are revealed here in this extraordinary detailed image, of the Total Solar Eclipse of 20 April 2023. This unique image is the result of an international collaboration between astrophotographers Dr John Goldsmith based in Western Australia and Nicolas Lefaudeux based in France.
John Goldsmith recorded over 200 photographs during the 62 seconds of totality, with a rig of five cameras. Nicolas Lefaudeux applied special image processing to images recorded using a 900mm f7 refractor telescope, to reveal extraordinary detail during totality. The image is produced by a “high-dynamic range” process, which effectively evens-out the bright and faint light, resulting in very fine detail being revealed.
“After more than 35 years of astrophotography experience around the world, this was my first total solar eclipse”.
“It was an extremely intense, emotional and powerful experience” says John Goldsmith.
“Being my first total solar eclipse, I was advised not to take any photos, and just enjoy the eclipse. I ignored that advice, and instead, chose to collaborate, prepare, practice and refine for a major photographic objective, using five cameras with lenses including 85mm, 180mm 300mm and 900mm, with automated camera rigs. The superb result showing the 900mm images reveal that even for a first time total solar eclipse experience, superb results can be achieved”.
Colourful solar prominences are visible erupting from the limb of the Sun, and masses of streaming plasma (ionised, charged particles) appear, forming the corona, the atmosphere of the Sun. The image reveals extraordinary detail which normally would remain invisible due to the intensity of the Sun. The image records a large amount of solar activity, as the Sun approaches the maximum of the 11-year solar cycle. The corona and solar prominences are enormous features that are many times the size of our planet. The corona appears as complex, ethereal streamers dispersing into space. If our planet encounters these particles, we can experience aurora displays in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Approximately 20,000 people travelled to the remote part of Western Australia, near Exmouth, to view the eclipse. International and Australian visitors experienced an eclipse so profound that many were moved to tears, and some describing the experience as “spiritual”.
The international collaboration with Lefaudeux and Goldsmith overcame many challenges, including technical, logistic and weather conditions.
According to Nicolas Lefaudeux:
“John made an incredible work of gathering camera bodies and lenses suitable for getting the highest level of quality of the final images, as well as preparation and tackling the many challenges of this eclipse located in a remote location, up to the eclipse itself where he managed perfectly 5 camera setups, including backups, to fulfill the targets of the collaboration.
This is truly a feat, especially considering that this was John’s first total solar eclipse. Like my results from the 2017 total solar eclipse which was also my first one (ignoring the overcast 1999 eclipse), the images of this eclipse prove that, to achieve great results on imaging a total solar eclipse, what is needed is not experience from many total eclipses, but high level of motivation and dedication for going through serious preparation, anticipation of issues, rehearsals, as well as quick reactions for tackling with last minutes issues in conditions where you are mostly by yourself in the middle of nowhere.”
The field photography involved a 2500km road trip, from Perth to Exmouth (return). The site photography was achieved at Pebble Beach, approximately 15km south of Exmouth. This position was extremely close to the centre-line of totality, thereby maximising the duration of the total phase of the eclipse. Days before the eclipse, an intense category 5 cyclone (>200km/hour winds) was bearing down on Exmouth, but fortunately changed course just in time. The image processing is a complex and detailed process, and this image is the result of more than 1 ½ months of image processing work.
Our 900mm refractor telescope totality image is the first main result to be released by the Lefaudeux and Goldsmith collaboration. We intend to release new images from the other setups: to be published in the coming months. We want to greatly thank all the collaborators, supporters and teamwork who helped make this image possible:
John Goldsmith’s international astrophotography collaborations include:
Goldsmith’s web sites:
www.celestialvisions.com.au
www.visionsofthecosmos.com
Lefaudeux’s web site:
www.hdr-astrophotography.com
Dr John Goldsmith is a leading proponent of images with integrity and ethical astrophotography. Based in Western Australia, John has curated over 40 astrophotography exhibitions. In 2023, his third and latest astrophotography book “Vision of the Cosmos: Landscape Astrophotography from Western Australia” was released. He has worked with Vulcanologist Clive Oppenheimer and filmmaker Werner Herzog “Fireball: Visitors from darker worlds” and he featured in “The Borderless Sky, The Aboriginal Sky of Australia” (2017). His PhD research “Cosmos, Culture and Landscape” (2014) investigated Western Australian Aboriginal astronomical knowledge, with a focus on “Kandimalal”, Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater. John’s primary astrophotography mentor was the late Akira Fujii (1941-2022). John is a member of The World at Night (www.twanight.org). Web sites: www.celestialvisions.com.au and www.visionsofthecosmos.com
Nicolas Lefaudeux is a French astrophotographer and optical engineer specialised in optical design and image processing. His astrophotography work focuses on producing unique, high quality images of astronomical phenomena such as eclipses and comets. Website: https://hdr-astrophotography.com/
Copyright. The solar eclipse photography is strictly copyright © Nicolas Lefaudeux and John Goldsmith (2023). According to international copyright and intellectual property laws, a link to this content is permitted but any use (other than strictly private usage) must have received prior authorization from the copyright holders (nicolas.lefaudeux@gmail.com and john.goldsmith.msc@gmail.com).
“It was an extremely intense, emotional and powerful experience” says John Goldsmith.
“Being my first total solar eclipse, I was advised not to take any photos, and just enjoy the eclipse. I ignored that advice, and instead, chose to collaborate, prepare, practice and refine for a major photographic objective, using five cameras with lenses including 85mm, 180mm 300mm and 900mm, with automated camera rigs. The superb result showing the 900mm images reveal that even for a first time total solar eclipse experience, superb results can be achieved”.
Colourful solar prominences are visible erupting from the limb of the Sun, and masses of streaming plasma (ionised, charged particles) appear, forming the corona, the atmosphere of the Sun. The image reveals extraordinary detail which normally would remain invisible due to the intensity of the Sun. The image records a large amount of solar activity, as the Sun approaches the maximum of the 11-year solar cycle. The corona and solar prominences are enormous features that are many times the size of our planet. The corona appears as complex, ethereal streamers dispersing into space. If our planet encounters these particles, we can experience aurora displays in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Approximately 20,000 people travelled to the remote part of Western Australia, near Exmouth, to view the eclipse. International and Australian visitors experienced an eclipse so profound that many were moved to tears, and some describing the experience as “spiritual”.
The international collaboration with Lefaudeux and Goldsmith overcame many challenges, including technical, logistic and weather conditions.
According to Nicolas Lefaudeux:
“John made an incredible work of gathering camera bodies and lenses suitable for getting the highest level of quality of the final images, as well as preparation and tackling the many challenges of this eclipse located in a remote location, up to the eclipse itself where he managed perfectly 5 camera setups, including backups, to fulfill the targets of the collaboration.
This is truly a feat, especially considering that this was John’s first total solar eclipse. Like my results from the 2017 total solar eclipse which was also my first one (ignoring the overcast 1999 eclipse), the images of this eclipse prove that, to achieve great results on imaging a total solar eclipse, what is needed is not experience from many total eclipses, but high level of motivation and dedication for going through serious preparation, anticipation of issues, rehearsals, as well as quick reactions for tackling with last minutes issues in conditions where you are mostly by yourself in the middle of nowhere.”
The field photography involved a 2500km road trip, from Perth to Exmouth (return). The site photography was achieved at Pebble Beach, approximately 15km south of Exmouth. This position was extremely close to the centre-line of totality, thereby maximising the duration of the total phase of the eclipse. Days before the eclipse, an intense category 5 cyclone (>200km/hour winds) was bearing down on Exmouth, but fortunately changed course just in time. The image processing is a complex and detailed process, and this image is the result of more than 1 ½ months of image processing work.
Our 900mm refractor telescope totality image is the first main result to be released by the Lefaudeux and Goldsmith collaboration. We intend to release new images from the other setups: to be published in the coming months. We want to greatly thank all the collaborators, supporters and teamwork who helped make this image possible:
- James Athanasou, Western Australian astrophotographer, for logistics support, teamwork and supply of one Canon 6DMkII camera body.
- Dr Chris Thorne, for supply of a Canon 300mm f2.8 lens, and for booking our accommodation more than three years ago!
- To all of the staff at Midland Camera House, (Midland, Western Australia), including owner Russell Payne, and in particular, Thanh Vu, for technical support and supply of Canon 6DMkII cameras and related accessories.
John Goldsmith’s international astrophotography collaborations include:
- Astrophotography of the Hoggar Mountains, Sahara desert, Algeria, with Mohammed Aissa Moussa.
- 911 memorial skyline, New York, with Luis Figueroa, USA.
- Sunrise Around the World project with Luca Vanzella, Canada.
- Sacred Monkey Forest Temple at night, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
- Stonehenge and Comet Hale-Bopp, with English Heritage, UK.
- Pyramids of Giza and Comet Hale-Bopp, with Helwan Observatory, Egypt.
- Cosmopoetry at Targoviste Astrofest 2018, Romania, with Andree Dorian Gheorghe and Valentin Grigore.
- Cosmology Concert, with international composer and musician, Rupert Guenther (Western Australia).
- Table Mountain at night, Cape Town, South Africa (SAAO).
Goldsmith’s web sites:
www.celestialvisions.com.au
www.visionsofthecosmos.com
Lefaudeux’s web site:
www.hdr-astrophotography.com
Dr John Goldsmith is a leading proponent of images with integrity and ethical astrophotography. Based in Western Australia, John has curated over 40 astrophotography exhibitions. In 2023, his third and latest astrophotography book “Vision of the Cosmos: Landscape Astrophotography from Western Australia” was released. He has worked with Vulcanologist Clive Oppenheimer and filmmaker Werner Herzog “Fireball: Visitors from darker worlds” and he featured in “The Borderless Sky, The Aboriginal Sky of Australia” (2017). His PhD research “Cosmos, Culture and Landscape” (2014) investigated Western Australian Aboriginal astronomical knowledge, with a focus on “Kandimalal”, Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater. John’s primary astrophotography mentor was the late Akira Fujii (1941-2022). John is a member of The World at Night (www.twanight.org). Web sites: www.celestialvisions.com.au and www.visionsofthecosmos.com
Nicolas Lefaudeux is a French astrophotographer and optical engineer specialised in optical design and image processing. His astrophotography work focuses on producing unique, high quality images of astronomical phenomena such as eclipses and comets. Website: https://hdr-astrophotography.com/
Copyright. The solar eclipse photography is strictly copyright © Nicolas Lefaudeux and John Goldsmith (2023). According to international copyright and intellectual property laws, a link to this content is permitted but any use (other than strictly private usage) must have received prior authorization from the copyright holders (nicolas.lefaudeux@gmail.com and john.goldsmith.msc@gmail.com).
Official opening eventOfficial Opening Event of the "Visions of the Cosmos" exhibition and book launch took place on Friday 14 April 2023, at the Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery. Attended by visitors and guests, the opening commenced the five week exhibition showing (14 April to 20 May 2023). Guests were treated to a superb selection of astro-landscape and deep-space astrophotos by 11 leading Western Australian astrophotographers. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of the master Japanese astrophotographer, Akira Fujii (1941 - 2022). The exhibition also features two superb images by Akira Fujii. Exhibition videos include "Under the Milky Way" featuring Ivan Gian-Piero's version of this much loved Australian classic, and an exotic new instrumental work by Rupert Guenther, specially commissioned for the exhibition. The "Visions of the Cosmos" exhibition was four years in the making, with first discussions about the idea beginning in 2019, prior to COVID. The exhibition was scheduled to coincide with the 20 April 2023 total solar eclipse, and to run for five weeks, 14 April to 20 May 2023. The five week showing of the exhibition provides visitors with a great opportunity to experience superb Western Australian astrophotography.
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14 April 2023 Book Launch "Visions of the Cosmos"
BRAND NEW BOOK RELEASE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE PURCHASE at www.celestialvisions.com.au In this unique book, Western Australia's leading landscape astrophotographers share their love of the night sky, capturing majestic visions of the cosmos and wilderness landscapes of this vast and diverse state. These remarkable images reveal glimpses into deep time, moments of serene beauty and personal reflections on the wonders of our ancient landscape. The book presents superb astro-landscape images from more than 20 key locations, documented by nine of Western Australia's most talented astrophotographers. |
Visions of the Cosmos: Landscape Astrophotography from Western Australia
Author: Dr John Goldsmith Publisher: Celestial Visions ISBN: 978-0-9587381-1-8 Length: 297.0 millimetre Width: 240.0 millimetre Languages: English Format: Soft cover Category: Photography Subjects: Astrophotography, Western Australia. Publication Date: 30/03/2023 Pages: 114 Price: $59.95 |
Reflections before the Eclipse
19 April 2023.
The developer of the exhibition, Dr John Goldsmith, has travelled to Exmouth, to experience and photograph the total solar eclipse. Dr Goldsmith shares some thoughts about the eclipse and the adventure of astrophotography.
The 20 April 2023 total solar eclipse provides astrophotographers with an extraordinary opportunity to record this remarkable event. Never have I experienced an eclipse which has been so geographically restricted. We have to be located in a narrow zone at Exmouth, Western Australia, to see the total eclipse. We are here. We are ready. The camera gear is prepared. Now we hope for good skies ! To all our fellow eclipse watchers, good luck !
Dr John Goldsmith
The developer of the exhibition, Dr John Goldsmith, has travelled to Exmouth, to experience and photograph the total solar eclipse. Dr Goldsmith shares some thoughts about the eclipse and the adventure of astrophotography.
The 20 April 2023 total solar eclipse provides astrophotographers with an extraordinary opportunity to record this remarkable event. Never have I experienced an eclipse which has been so geographically restricted. We have to be located in a narrow zone at Exmouth, Western Australia, to see the total eclipse. We are here. We are ready. The camera gear is prepared. Now we hope for good skies ! To all our fellow eclipse watchers, good luck !
Dr John Goldsmith
"Visions of the Cosmos" and the Western Australian
solar eclipse featured on Romanian TV
News update, 7 May 2023.
Dr John Goldsmith's long term association with Valentin Grigore, the President of the Romanian Meteor and Astronomy Society (SARM.RO), led to the latest invitation by Valentin, to feature Dr Goldsmith's book "Visions of the Cosmos" in the "Us and the Sky" ("Noi si Cerul") live TV broadcast, from Romania. The episode was part of the special eclipse coverage featuring the 20 April 2023 total solar eclipse. Images from the TV broadcast are featured below (courtesy of Valentin Grigore). The archive of TV episodes are available online (refer to columnatv, Romania).
Dr John Goldsmith's long term association with Valentin Grigore, the President of the Romanian Meteor and Astronomy Society (SARM.RO), led to the latest invitation by Valentin, to feature Dr Goldsmith's book "Visions of the Cosmos" in the "Us and the Sky" ("Noi si Cerul") live TV broadcast, from Romania. The episode was part of the special eclipse coverage featuring the 20 April 2023 total solar eclipse. Images from the TV broadcast are featured below (courtesy of Valentin Grigore). The archive of TV episodes are available online (refer to columnatv, Romania).
