This photo (and the next 11) was taken from the disused aerodrome at Beaulieu (Lady Cross Moor), near the village of Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK.

This photo shows the Sun just as it breaks above the horizon at 05:08 BST. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

In this photo the Sun has now almost fully risen, the time is now 05:09 BST. The lower limb of the Sun appears jagged owing to objects on the horizon but it is now evident that part of it is missing! (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

The Sun has now fully risen, the time is now 05:16 BST. Apart from a chunk of the Sun missing I thought this photo is striking because of the beautiful red colouration and banding visible on the solar disk, an atmospheric effect.

It is worth comparing this photo with the one below since it shows how much the Moon has moved in just a few minutes. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

The time is now 05:23 BST. A portion of the Sun is still missing but with the Sun having risen further since the last photo the red colouration and banding visible on the solar disk has now faded to orange. Also a few whisps of cloud close to the Sun lend a pretty effect to this photo. Compare this photo to the one above and note how much the Moon has moved in a a few minutes. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

The eclipse is now over but the Sun still looks quite spectacular... A last shot before going back home and catching up with lost sleep! (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

As you may have gathered Pete and I viewed the eclipse from the same location. There now follow several shots that he took of the partial eclipse. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

Another view of the eclispe, the time is now about 05:10 BST. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

This one is similar to the last, camera panned out a bit. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

The event continues to unfold... (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

The time is now 05:15 BST, not long to go before the Sun is 'complete'. Note the bird that wanted to get a piece of the action! (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

A final shot of the Sun with just a small portion covered by the Moon, the time is now 05:18 BST. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775.

Photo: Pete Cutler.

This photo features in the August 2003 edition of Astronomy Now magazine. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)
*** Note: The full size image is 137kb. ***

Camera: Olympus C370uz.

Photo: Russell Hawker.

This unusual event, the first visible from the UK since 1973, was viewed by several members of Solent from our observatory at Toothill.

The primary set-up used to view the transit of Mercury was the 12 inch Newtonian reflector at the observatory. A filter made from Baader Safety Film was employed as a Solar filter and the images transmitted to a TV/Video via a Astrovid-StellaCam black and white CCD camera. This method ensured everyone could enjoy viewing the transit in safety - and everyone could watch and discuss the event at the same time. Not only that, I was able to record the transit on video tape!

This image taken by Pete Cutler shows the planet Mercury against the backdrop of the Sun. It really does bring home how tiny Mercury is compared to the Sun. Mark you, if the positions of Earth and Mercury were reversed, Earth would not appear much larger. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Mercury appears as a black dot close to the limb of the Sun. Also visible further away from the solar limb is a small sunspot - although 'small' is a relative term!

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775. (Used via the 12 inch reflector.)

Photo: Pete Cutler.

This splendid full solar disc photo shows several points of interest... Mercury is the small dot at about the half past twelve position near the top of this image. Look at the large sunspot near the centre of the solar disc though - some crude calculations made this single sunspot to be some 15 000 to 20 000 km across! Visible near the solar limb at the eight O'clock position are two large sunspot groups, each about 50 000 km across. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Nikon Coolpix 775. (Viewed via another member's refractor.)

Photo: Pete Cutler.

Another shot of Mercury transiting the Sun on 7th May 2003. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Olympus C730uz. (Taken via Skywatcher 120mm f5 refractor, 25mm Plossl eyepiece. Single image processed in Adobe Photoshop.)

Photo: Russell Hawker.

This photo shows the Full Moon on the evening of 16th April 2003 shortly after rising, as seen from home. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, 2x teleconverter.

Photo: Derek Haselden

The crescent Moon as seen from Toothill Observatory, 4th April 2003. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, via the 12 inch reflecting telescope at Toothill Observatory.

Photo: Derek Haselden

The crescent Moon taken one day later than the photo above, again from Toothill observatory. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, via the 12 inch reflecting telescope at Toothill observatory.

Photo: Derek Haselden

Another crescent Moon photo taken from Toothill observatory, this time on 2nd August 2003. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, via the 12 inch reflecting telescope at Toothill observatory.

Photo: Derek Haselden

Another Moon photo taken from Toothill observatory, 6th September 2003. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, via the 12 inch reflecting telescope at Toothill observatory.

Photo: Derek Haselden

Yet another Moon photo taken from Toothill observatory, 9th August 2003. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: SONY Mavica MVC-FD73, via the 12 inch reflecting telescope at Toothill observatory.

Photo: Derek Haselden

This is one of my favourite photo's of the Moon, taken sometime in the summer of 1996 (at about 4am) as I recall. The marked orange colouration is due to the Moon's low altitude at the time. (Click on the photo to see a larger version, use the 'Back' button of your browser to return to this part of the page.)

Camera: Pentax P30 via a 4 inch reflecting telescope, eyepiece projection.

Photo: Derek Haselden. (Thanks to Pete Cutler for scanning in the original print.)