Highlights from the August 12 Solar Eclipse Featured in Magazine Heelal

The November issue of Magazine Heelal prominently features both the collective efforts of VVS Section Helios and my personal journey during the solar eclipse of August 12, 2026.

During the event, VVS Section Helios hosted a public observation at the Maagdentoren in Zichem, welcoming around a hundred visitors to safely view the partial eclipse and promoting upcoming astronomical events. Meanwhile, four members of our section—Walter Swinnen, Johan Reviers, Roger Marien, and Pascal Hilkens—traveled to Spain to experience totality. Observing across locations like Covarrubias, Burgos, Autilla Del Pinto, and Carrion de los Condes, the team captured remarkable footage—including drone imagery of the solar ring—and witnessed 1 minute and 46 seconds of totality.

We are delighted to see these experiences published in Magazine Heelal. You can read the full accounts and view the photographs in the latest November issue.

Looking Back at an Unforgettable DDD Day at Urania!

Last week, our astronomical community gathered at Volkssterrenwacht Urania for our traditional DDD (De Duistere Dag) event. With the spectacular Total Solar Eclipse of August 12 still fresh in everyone's memory, the entire day was packed with technical deep-dives, vivid expedition reports, and exciting future plans.

I used this image to talk about the eclipse day itself

Morning Sessions: Tech, Tools, and Expeditions

The day started in classic Urania fashion: catching up with fellow eclipse chasers over hot coffee and viennoiserie in the Urania Bar.

Kris Delcourte officially opened the event with an introduction to the agenda. Maciej Szupiluk followed with a presentation on Total Control, a specialized software tool designed for eclipse photography with Sony cameras. The software was really easy to use and he promissed to have a Nikon version ready, 100 days before next year eclipse.

Ruben Verboven then shared insights and atmospheric data from the Eclipse Weatherstation Project during the August 12 TSE in Spain.

The rest of the morning brought an array of eclipse reports from across Spain and beyond:

Kris Delcourte shared his experiences observing from Montelahorra in the DO Ribera del Duero region.

Wim, Sarah, Marnik, and Karin presented a joint talk on their practical experiences with the Solar Eclipse Workbench. The next release will embed detailed bailey beads.

Roman Weiss rounded out the morning block with a report on the total solar eclipse from Asturias and the total lunar eclipse observed from Andalusia.

Around noon, attendees gathered for a sandwich lunch at the Urania Bar, discussing camera settings, filters, weather predictions, and visual impressions. Before returning to the auditorium for the afternoon sessions, everyone stepped outside for the traditional group photo.

Afternoon Highlights: Iceland, Global Eclipse Chasing, and Drone Imaging

The afternoon session kicked off with invited guest speaker Saevar Helgi Bragason, who brought breathtaking stories of observing the Total Solar Eclipse from Iceland and how he did promote this by his own!!

Werner Hamelinck then offered a comprehensive look at Urania's collective experiences across various observing locations during the August 12 eclipse. Joerg Schoppmeier took the audience on a remarkable global journey, reviewing two partial solar eclipses (New Zealand and Mauritius), two total lunar eclipses (Crete and Joshua Tree National Park), a deep partial lunar eclipse (Madrid), and the total solar eclipse in Spain.

I then had the opportunity to step up and share my own project: Total Solar Eclipse 2026 Wide-Angle Drone Imaging. Operating from Carrión de los Condes, Spain, I used a DJI Neo 2 drone to film the event from the air on August 12, 2026. Capturing the sweeping shadow of totality and the 360-degree horizon twilight from above offered a thrilling new dimension to our eclipse documentation. A live demo was given.

AI generated slide use for my presentation.

Looking Forward: 2027 and Beyond

The focus then shifted to the future. A vibrant group discussion unfolded regarding plans and logistics for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2027.

Live demo with my DJI Neo 2 Drone

300 Days to go for Total Solar Eclipse Aug 2, 2027

The next total solar eclipse will happen in 300 days.
If all goes according the plan, I will be @ Djerba in Tunisia. 

My interview of Total Solar Eclipse published in Magazine Zenit of October 2026

 

For any eclipse chaser, seeing totality is a breathtaking experience, but having your observation featured in a renowned astronomy publication makes it all the more special. In the October edition of the well-known Dutch astronomy magazine Zenit, written by Mat Drummen, my interview about the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026, was officially published. The article captures the firsthand experiences of observers who traveled to Spain to witness this spectacular celestial event, and I was thrilled to share my own story alongside other passionate stargazers—including the famous Dutch science journalist Govert Schilling.

My vantage point for the eclipse was the tranquil municipality of Carrión de los Condes in the province of Palencia, Spain. To capture the event from a unique perspective, I piloted a drone to an altitude of 24 meters, recording beautiful aerial film footage as the Moon gradually blocked out the Sun. Because the eclipse occurred low on the horizon, the atmosphere during totality was truly idyllic, painting the Spanish sky with dramatic, warm tones. Just as totality began and the Sun’s corona burst into view, a wave of applause and cheers echoed from observers in the distance, capturing the shared awe of everyone gathered under the Moon's shadow. Being featured in Zenit is a wonderful reminder of an unforgettable trip, and it is an honor to have these memories preserved in print for the broader astronomy community.

Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026

My pictures of the Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026 are reworked. I used 3 bracketing images to create a HDR image. Wavelets and HDR done using AstroSurface. CS4 next to stack and final editing.

Progress Baily's Bead during total solar eclipse

The progression of Baily's beads during the total solar eclipse, beautifully transitioning into the chromosphere.

First image before C2 and second image after C3 contact.

Drone Video of Total Solar Eclipse August 12 2026

I used my DJI Neo2 to capture the total solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026.
I send out the drone 5 minutes before totality and got 'm back 5 minutes after totality. The drone was 24m above the horizon. Watch the sunset and sunrise aswell as planet Venus.

Total Sol Eclipse Augustus 2026 - Carrion de los Condes. Compilation

I'm a week back from Spain and almost daily editing my images. Below are the results which are a compilation of the eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026

Together with Kathleen we stayed in Carrion de los Condes. We found a nice location about 2km from the center. The location had uptill 1° above the horizon a full view. Beside the great view, also no worries about parking the car as we went walking. 

The day before, the location was visited and my equipment was installed and tested without any issues. 

When we arrived on the day of the eclipse, the field behind our location was under water... but no risk for flooding. Most important, we had a blue sky. After installation of the equipment and C1 contact, a german family joined us.

5 minutes before totality, my drone was send into the sky at 24m. The video was turned on and it was pulled back only minutes after totality.

Totality was only 1m43s, so really short and no time to set the camera for bracketing. Pictures were taken with different exposure settings but due to this some pictures showed movement. The view was great with first left and then right a nice red sky.

After totality I kept taking pictures but more over we talked with the germans about the experience. 

Editing of totality was not easy and probably some rework will be done in a later phase. 

Setting:

Nikon D7500 on TLAPO 80/480 f/6 

IR/UV cut filter

Software: AstroSurface, CS4.

La Palma

Visiting La Palma in Roque de los Muchachos at 2400m height. The clouds below us and clear sky. Great place to see the big telescopes and of course observing the night sky. The area is protected against light pollution and is a bortle 1 location. I will post later my images of the milky way… so cool.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone 16

1 day to go for 2026 Total Solar Eclipsz

> Preparing for tomorrow’s total solar eclipse. I’m staying in Carrion de los Condes and found a nice place at 2km from the center. So no need for my rentelcar and potential traffic or parking issues. The new sunspot at the eastern limb is perfect for adjusting the equipment. Now we need to wait the weather! >

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> > Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone 16

1 Year to go : Total Solar Eclipse Aug 2, 2027

 

I know.... the next total solar eclipse is within 10 days; but still, I'm planning for the next one on August 2nd, 2027.

100 days to Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026

 100 days to go to Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026.

Eclipse August 12, 2026

 

All my bookings are completed for the Eclipse of August 12, 2026. I will be staying near Burgos in Carrion de los Condes on the Camino de Santiago. I stayed before in this location back in 2017 when I walked the Camino from Burgos to Santiago de Compostella.

1 Year to Go : Total Solar Eclipse August 12, 2026

1 Year to go for the Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026 which starts in Greenland, over Iceland and Spain.

Less then 400 days to Total Solar Eclipse August 12 2026 Spain

On August 12, 2026 we a total solar eclipse can be seen from Greenland over Iceland and Spain. I planned my trip to Spain and booked in the town Carrion de los Condes, which I passed on my Camino the Santiago in 2017. 

Kerrville(Texas) Louise Hays Park Flooding

 

Louise Hays Park in Kerrville - July 4th 2025

Currently due to heavy rain (>250l/m2), Kerr county in central Texas is hit by severe floods. The Guadalupe river passes through the center of Kerrville and Louise Hays Park. We visited this Park last year in April to see the total solar eclipse. According the news a lot of areas are flooding including Louise Hays Park in central Kerrville. 

Wishing a lot of strength to the residents of Kerrville and, by extension, all of Texas.

Solar Eclipse in Louise Hays Park in Kerrville (April 2024)

Partial Solar Eclipse March 29, 2025

 

Sun March 29 - One hour before partial solar eclipse

Imaging the Sun one hour before the Partial Solar Eclipse. This test was done at my home before moving to the public perfornace.

Partial Solar Eclipse

The partial solar eclipse imaged during public performance at "Het Moment" (Abbey of Averbode). I used my TLAPO80/480 f/6 with ND3.8 solar filter, IR/UV cut filter and OIII filter.

Editing using CS4 after conversion to DNG format.