Beautiful Solar Analemma...

Hi all

Through an act of serendipity I came across the beautiful solar analemma..

A solar analemma is the recording of the movement of the Sun over a year. This creates a beautifully fluid pattern and this pattern will vary in shape, in accordance to where it is recorded..




Photograph the position of the Sun in the sky every day, at the same time (for example 2pm) from the same place (for example a hilltop on Earth). If you do this for one complete year, you will have 365 positions recorded. If you superimpose these positions onto one image, you will notice a pattern. An obscure figure 8. This pattern is referred to as a Solar Analemma!

Really cool, I have seen these and wondered if anyone does these over several years or decades, therefore superimposing the same image, showing a variance in the relationship between the Earth and Sun on a single image. This can be done with any moving object on a pattern. Thanks for posting this, for some It will be the first time they have seen this.

reply to post by fluff007



Is that Planet X i can make out on the right of your picture. I highlighted the area with a red arrow.. OFC it might just be lense flare...




Lovely photos...

reply to post by purplemer


Interesting addition to the thread. However I am not quite seeing Planet X in the original image...

reply to post by teslahowitzer


I have had a quick look and so far I have not found anything about anyone recording a solar analemma over a few years or a decade.. Will have a proper look in the morning.. Think might even try recording one of these myself

reply to post by purplemer


Looks like a chinese lantern to me

Beautiful pics OP thanks.

reply to post by fluff007


That would be great to see, you could see the changes in angles, distance, pov, etc. even trends that evident long term movement or positioning. If you 'ghost' and color ghost images, this could be used to have blue represent the second year and yellow the third, as your first year could be the solid normal image. There are leap year changes and the like. This would be more revealing, just thoughts, thanks for the reply.

reply to post by teslahowitzer


Ok so now I have had a good look and I have not managed to find a scooby about a solar analemma being taken over several years or decade..

Maybe its time to create the first one..! I am truly considering doing this.. Need a new camera and maybe some new equipment but it is something I would love to try..!

Ooh I am quite excited now I have a new project

reply to post by fluff007


Fluff, I wish you much luck in your quest. My experience in something taken to the next level is: think about the next 3 levels, i.e, plan the next three levels or more now, early in the process, this gives you room and perspective to make this much more than a one up improvement. The ghosting and coloring of each year will give you a gage to compare object movement and tracking. Concider the extra day each 4 year cycles, and any camera movement will create issues. Think of all of the little things in a long term project like this. I hope you keep us updated, lots of luck!

reply to post by fluff007


That is amazing. Not to sound like an idiot (too late??.. oh well), but I have never seen this before.

Fluff, your idea sounds great. What an undertaking that would be.Looking forward to seeing that.

reply to post by teslahowitzer


Thanks very much tesla..! With some proper planning and prior thought this might work out really well
Will keep you updated

reply to post by nrthstar


Lol you are not an idiot..! I have seen this before but never knew what it was called.. Hopefully I haven't bitten off more than I can chew..! Gonna make sure I do plenty of homework on this one..