ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY wallpaper
Free downloadable astrophotography wallpaper images for your computer desktop.
I have made a number of my astrophotography images available here in the form of HD desktop wallpapers. Use the download buttons next to the images to download the aspect ratio appropriate for your display. Check these pages often as I will add additional images over time so that as many people as possible can enjoy these scenes that I was blessed enough to have captured!
Please do not redistribute images you have downloaded to others. If you would like your friends to also have the images or if you would like to let others know about them, please direct them to this download page.
These images are free to download and use on your own computers but they are not for commercial use. If you would like to use any of these images in your commercial projects or publications, please contact me through my contact page for licensing information and restrictions.
All images are ©Copyright: Rich Rijnders Photography
“Phases” 2024 Solar Eclipse
A composite image made of 10 exposures showing the phases of the eclipse
Since the next Solar Total Eclipse visible in North America would not occur until the year 2044, I made the decision that I had to at least try to get some shots of the eclipse on April 8th, 2024. The problem? I am based in South Florida – no where near the path of totality for this eclipse. Worse yet, NOAA was predicting that most of this path of totality across the US would be obscured by heavy cloud cover. I had to watch the cloud forcasts and make the decision of where to go at the latest possible moment in order to take advantage of the most accurate predictions. This means that flights and hotels were out. But, I do have a new Adventure Van…. (story continues below)
“Corona” 2024 Solar Eclipse
This image was exposed to show the Sun’s Corona. The patterns in the corona illustrate how the strong magnetic fields of the sun can even affect the light radiating into space!
I waited until the latest I dared and checked the cloud forcasts. NOAA was estimating that the best chances for a clear view of The Totality would be in northern Arkansas. I decided a good spot in the center of the path of totality would be the small town of Hardy, AR. 1,100 miles. 16 hours drive. Glad I had that extra large fuel tank installed! Off I went. (story continues below)
“Prominences” 2024 Solar Eclipse
This image was exposed so that the prominences and solar flares of the sun are visible. It is an amazing sight, don’t you agree?
I made it to Hardy, AR just in time to catch a meal and some sleep before getting up and prepping for the shoot. Now I am not an astrophotographer by any means and solar eclipses are rare events so I was not confident at all about the upcoming shoot. But hey – that’s never stopped me before! I checked out several possible locations and decided a nice spot would be Buford Beach on Spring River. I set up early and played with a few settings and filters and then waited with my fingers crossed.
When it happened I went into auto mode taking exposures every 5 minutes for about 90 minutes. The totality was mezmerizing and the electricity that permiated the crowd was palpable! I would like to give a shout-out to all the amazing and friendly people I met in Hardy, AR. Locals and eclipse tourists, alike! Everyone was nice, helpful, and just a lot of fun!
In keeping with my photography traditions, I did not even look at any of the images until I got home. These are the shots that I got and I am pretty happy with them. I hope you enjoy them too. Because it will be 20 years before the next one!