Download the High Sierra full installer from the App Store to your iMac.Then install HS to your SSD. IF you want to use the APFS file system then you will instead need to format your SSD APFS before installing HS. To do this you must use High Sierra's Disk Utility. So, if you have HS installed on your iMac you can do it from there before launching the HS installer. Or you will have to make a USB thumb drive installer of HS and boot from it, then format the SSD as APFS from Disk Utility and install HS.If the SSD were your internal drive then the APFS file system would be automatic. But, you have an external enclosure with your SSD so HS sees this as an HDD and won't auto convert to APFS. This is why you have to manually format it.After your install of HS, you can use Setup migration to migrate your user accounts, data, apps and settings over to the SSD.
Answer from keg55 on discussions.apple.comHow to Install High Sierra on External Drive - Ask Different
How to Install High Sierra on External Drive - Ask Different
Install High Sierra or higher on a Partition | Mac-Forums | Fix Mac iPhone iPad | Buying Tips | iOS OS Help
Install High Sierra or higher on a Partition | Mac-Forums | Fix Mac iPhone iPad | Buying Tips | iOS OS Help
Can't use high sierra on external drive on new 2020 imac running Catalina
Can't use high sierra on external drive on new 2020 imac running Catalina
Install High Sierra on external drive... | MacRumors Forums
Install High Sierra on external drive... | MacRumors Forums