SharpCap Eclipse Sequence Creator

Requires SharpCap Pro version 4.1.11947 or newer!

  1. Go to Eclipse Map.
  2. Zoom into your observation location and click to place the pin on the map.
  3. Note the Partial and Full Begin and End times provided on the left side of the map.
  4. Enter the observing site local times under Eclipse Times below, in 24 hour, HH:MM:SS format.
  5. Adjust the Intervals and Camera Settings as desired below.
    Notes:
    • Partial Eclipse Count (recommended) generates evenly spaced collections based on partial eclipse percentage, starting 1 minutes into the eclipse.
    • Partial Eclipse Interval generates evenly space collections based on time alone, with no concern for even partial percentage.
    • The two cannot be used at the same time.
  6. Add and adjust the steps for each Collection Plan section below.
  7. Click the Generate button.
  8. A Generated Sequence section will appear below.
  9. Use the Download SharpCap Sequence button and save the sequence file.
  10. In SharpCap Pro version 4.1.11947 or newer:
    • Connect to your camera and center the Sun in your camera's view.
    • Click the Sequencer menu item
    • Then Run...
    • Pick the downloaded sequence file and click the Open button.
  11. Monitor for an Alert sound, and banner at the top to Remove or Apply the Solar Filter around the time of Totality.
Optional: Download the Powershell script and assets
Required if Use the Powershell Companion Script is set to Yes
  1. Download Powershell script april-2024-solar-eclipse.ps1
  2. In the C:\Program Files\SharpCap 4.1 (64 bit)\ folder, create a new folder named scripts
  3. Copy the script to C:\Program Files\SharpCap 4.1 (64 bit)\scripts\
    If you installed SharpCap to a non-default folder, please adjust the saved path to match.
  4. Generate a sequence

    Notes:
    • The Powershell script runs separately from the SharpCap Eclipse Sequencer script. Ending the SharpCap Eclipse Sequencer script will not terminate the Powershell script.
    • However, the Powershell script will terminate on its own about 5 seconds after the final scheduled audiable alert.
    • You can also terminate the PowerShell script by closing the minimized PowerShell window.
What time?
Times should be entered in local time of your observing site.
You can get the local Eclilpse Event Times from Time and Date.
Lots of Data...
I suggest adding {TargetName} and {Exposure} in the filename template in SharpCap Settings to make it easier to differentiate files after the eclipse.
Example: {Date:S}\{TargetName}\{TargetName}_{Time}_{Exposure}
Test, test test!
Ahead of the eclipse, please test the operation and behavior of your hardware.
Total Recall
The full configuration is now saved to your local browser, in case you'd like to tweak your action plan in the future.
The parameter encoded URL is put as a comment in the top of the generated sequence file, so you can use that for future collection plan tweaks.
Baily's Beads into Totality
If you'd like to capture the Baily's Beads Collection Plan into totality, you can do so by fudging the 'Full Begins' and/or 'Full Ends' times to be after totality begins/before totality ends.
This may be useful since prediction of the exact moment of totality is not exact due to the shape of the Moon's surface.
Eclipse Times
(C1) Partial Begins [?]:
(C2) Full Begins [?]:
(C3) Full Ends [?]:
(C4) Partial Ends [?]:
Collection Timing
Partial Eclipse Count [?]: before and after
Partial Eclipse Interval [?]:
Baily's Beads Capture Offset [?]:
Max Delay Before Exposures [?]:
 seconds
PowerShell Companion Script
Camera Settings
Camera Gain [?]:
Camera Offset [?]:
Output Format [?]:
SharpCap Profile [?]
(blank for none):

Partial Phase Collection Plan :: repeat before and after Totality.

Baily's Beads Collection Plan :: repeat every seconds [?] for on either side of Totality.
Invert Baily's collection order after totality ( C3 ) [?]

Totality Collection Plan :: repeat every seconds [?] during Totality.