Categories
Featured

How to watch the total solar eclipse 2024 from anywhere in the world

[ad_1]

On Monday, April 8, the shadow of a total solar eclipse will pass over North America: stand in the right spot, and for a few minutes the moon will completely block out the sun, thanks to a rare alignment of celestial objects.

If you’re not able to get into a spot along the ‘path of totality’ yourself, you don’t have to miss out – there are plenty of ways to watch this spectacular natural show on the web, wherever you happen to be in the world. We’ve picked out some options below.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
Featured

How to photograph the total solar eclipse with your camera or smartphone

[ad_1]

The total solar eclipse is coming, and of course you’ll want to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment with your best camera. Whether that’s your DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphone, we’re here to give you the best tips possible. But let’s be honest, taking photos of the sun is hard on a normal day, and the total eclipse won’t make things easier.

Let’s set expectations. Even if you have a great camera or one of the best smartphones, your camera and your equipment may not be up to the task, and you probably won’t get an amazing shot worth hanging on your wall or selling in a gallery, not unless you are a dedicated solar photographer.

Total Solar Eclipse showing people wearing glasses and looking at the eclipse

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

That’s why we have tips for taking the best shots of the eclipse that capture the moment and the special day, not just the sun and moon in the sky. We’ll teach you how to set up properly, stay safe during the eclipse, and have a great time taking your best shots.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
Entertainment

NASA will be studying the total solar eclipse. Here’s how you can help

[ad_1]

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across a swath of North America, from Mexico’s Pacific coast to the easternmost reaches of Canada. And in those few minutes of daytime darkness, all sorts of interesting phenomena are known to occur — phenomena NASA would like our help measuring.

During a total solar eclipse, temperatures may drop and winds may slow down or change their course. Animals have been observed to behave unusually — you might hear crickets start their evening chatter a few hours early. Even radio communications can be disrupted due to changes in the ionosphere while the sun’s light is blocked. And, the sun’s corona — its outermost atmosphere — will come into view, presenting scientists (and those of us helping them) with a rare opportunity to study this layer that’s normally invisible to the naked eye.

NASA has lots of research efforts planned for the eclipse, and has sponsored a handful of citizen science campaigns that anyone can take part in if they’re in or near the path of totality, or the areas where people on the ground can watch the sun become completely obscured by the moon. The path of totality crosses 13 US states, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It’s an event of some significance; the next time a total solar eclipse passes over that much of the contiguous US won’t be until 2045.

All you’ll need to join in is equipment you already own, like a smartphone, and a few minutes set aside before the eclipse to go through the training materials.

A map showing the path of totality across the United StatesA map showing the path of totality across the United States

NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

Help measure the shape of the sun

One such citizen science project is , a concerted effort to measure the true shape of the sun. While the sun is closer to being a perfect sphere than other celestial bodies that have been observed, it’s still technically an oblate spheroid, being a smidge wider along its equator. The SunSketcher team plans to get a more precise measurement by crowd-sourcing observations of Baily’s Beads, or the little spots of sunlight that peek out from behind the moon at certain points in the eclipse.

The Baily’s Bead effect is “the last piece of the sun seen before totality and the first to appear after totality,” NASA explained in a . “For a few seconds, these glimmers of light look like beads along the moon’s edge.” They’re visible thanks to the uneven topographical features on the lunar surface.

You’ll need to download the free SunSketcher app, which is available for iOS and Android on the and . Then, a few minutes before totality (the exact time is location-dependent), put your phone on Do Not Disturb, hit “Start” in the app and prop up the phone in a place where it has a good view of the sun. After that, leave it be until the eclipse is over — the app will automatically take pictures of Baily’s Beads as they show up.

There’s a on the SunSketcher website if you want to familiarize yourself with the process beforehand. When it’s all said and done, the pictures will be uploaded to SunSketcher’s server. They’ll eventually be combined with observations from all over to “create an evolving pattern of beads” that may be able to shed better light on the size and shape of the sun.

The SunSketcher images probably won’t blow you away, so if you’re hoping to get some great pictures of the eclipse, you’ll want to have another camera on hand for that (with the appropriate filters to protect your eyes and the device’s sensors).

The Bailey's Beads  effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)The Bailey's Beads  effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon. A total solar eclipse swept across a narrow portion of the contiguous United States from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. A partial solar eclipse was visible across the entire North American continent along with parts of South America, Africa, and Europe.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA / Aubrey Gemignani

Record changes in your surroundings

Eclipse-watchers can also use their smartphones to record the environmental changes that take place when the sun dips behind the moon as part of a challenge run by Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (Globe). You’ll need an air temperature thermometer as well for this task, and can start logging observations in the days before the eclipse if you feel like being extra thorough.

Temperatures at the surface can, in some cases, drop as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit during a total solar eclipse, according to NASA. And certain types of clouds have been observed to dissipate during these brief cooldowns, resulting in unexpectedly clear skies in the moments before totality. Data collected with the help of citizen scientists during the 2017 total solar eclipse showed that experienced a less extreme drop in surface temperatures.

To participate this time around, download the Globe Observer app from the or , and then open the Globe Eclipse tool from the in-app menu. There, you’ll be able to jot down your temperature measurements and take photos of the sky to record any changes in cloud cover, and make notes about the wind conditions. Plan to dedicate a few hours to this one — NASA asks that you include observations from 1-2 hours before and after the eclipse in addition to what you’ll record during. “You will measure temperature every 5-10 minutes and clouds every 15-30 minutes or whenever you see change,” NASA says.

You can keep using the Globe Observer app for citizen science beyond eclipse day, too. There are programs running all year round for recording observations of things like clouds, land use, mosquito habitats and tree heights. The eclipse tool, though, is only available when there’s an eclipse happening.

Listen to the sounds of wildlife

Observations going back nearly 100 years have added support to the idea that total solar eclipses temporarily throw some animals out of whack. Inspired by a 1935 study that gathered observations on animal behavior during an eclipse three years prior, the is inviting members of the public to take note of what they hear before, during and after totality, and share their findings.

To be an for the project, it’s recommended that you first sign up on the website and go through the brief training materials so you can get a sense of what type of information the project is looking for. The website also has printable field notes pages you can use to record your observations on eclipse day. You should start taking notes down at least 10 minutes before totality. Only after the eclipse is over will you need to fill out the webform to submit your observations along with your latitude and longitude.

If you happen to have an AudioMoth acoustic monitoring device and a spare microSD card lying around, you can go a step further and record the actual sounds of the environment during the eclipse as a . You’ll need to set everything up early — the project says to do it on Saturday, April 6 before noon — and let it record until at least 5PM local time on April 10. At that point, you can turn it off, submit your notes online and mail in the SD card. All of the details for submission can be found on the project’s website.

A chart showing what time the eclipse will begin and end in 13 cities across the USA chart showing what time the eclipse will begin and end in 13 cities across the US

NASA

Take photos of the solar corona

The is an initiative designed to study the sun’s corona and plasma plumes from locations in the path of totality, building off of a previous campaign from the 2017 total solar eclipse. It’s already selected a team of 100 Science Team Alpha Recruits (STARs) who underwent training and were given 3D-printed tracking mounts for their cameras to shoot the best possible images. But, the project will still be accepting photo submissions from any enthusiasts who have a DSLR (and a solar filter) and want to participate.

The is pretty exhaustive, so don’t wait until eclipse day to start figuring out your setup. You’ll be able to submit your photos after the eclipse through a form on the website.

However you choose to spend the eclipse, whether you’re collecting data for a citizen science mission or just planning to kick back and observe, make sure you have everything in place well ahead of the time. While the partial eclipse phases will last over an hour, totality will be over and done in about 3.5-4.5 minutes depending on where you’re watching from. You wouldn’t want to miss out on some of that time because you were fumbling with your camera.

Totality will start shortly after 11AM local time (2PM ET) for western Mexico, moving northeastward over the subsequent two-or-so hours before exiting land near Newfoundland, Canada around 5:30PM local time. There will still be something to see for people outside the path of totality, too. Most of the US will be treated to a partial eclipse that day. You can find out exactly when the eclipse will be visible from your location with , along with the percentage of sun coverage you can expect to witness.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
Entertainment

How to watch and record the total eclipse on Monday

[ad_1]

On April 8, a solar eclipse will darken the skies. This is a rare astronomical event: The last North American total solar eclipse was on August 21, 2017, and there won’t be another on visible on the continent until 2044. The path of totality — where the sun will be fully blocked by the moon — covers over 30 million people in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Those lucky folks may see the sun’s corona and a “diamond ring” — both dramatic sights. Other regions will experience partial eclipses, with the level depending on how close you are to totality. Watching the moon eat into the sun, even a bit, is still a spectacular sight.

So, which cities and regions will experience totality, and when? What’s the weather forecast in those areas? And if you do have a clear view, how can you safely watch and record the event?

Where in the US will you experience the solar eclipse totality, and when?

How to watch (and record) the solar eclipseHow to watch (and record) the solar eclipse

The good news is that many major centers are in the 100-mile-wide band of totality, so millions of people will be able to see a full solar eclipse. It follows a northeast path, so Mexico’s Pacific coast will get the first views in Mazatlan starting at around 10:57 AM PDT (total eclipse starting at 12:07 PDT), followed by the city of Torreón (all times local).

The total eclipse moves into the United states at 12:10 PM CDT (Eagle Pass, Texas), then hits Austin, Fort Worth and Dallas — three out of five of the most populous Texas cities. From there, it moves into Little Rock, Arkansas, followed by select parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana (including Indianapolis).

How to watch (and record) the solar eclipseHow to watch (and record) the solar eclipse

NASA

Ohio cities Dayton, Toledo and Cleveland get the full show, followed by Erie, Pennsylvania, then Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse in New York along with Maine. Canada is in on the fun too, with parts of southern Ontario (Hamilton, Niagara Falls) and Quebec (Montreal) getting the totality, along with New Brunswick, PEI and finally, Bonavista, Labrador at 4:03 PM NDT (Newfoundland Time).

If you’re elsewhere on the continent and can’t travel, know that the closer you are to the band of totality, the more the sun will be obscured by the moon (this map shows how much of the eclipse you’ll get depending where you are on the continent).

An impressive list of major centers are within 200 miles of totality, so they’ll get a 90 percent or better eclipse (Houston, St. Louis, Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Toronto, New York, Boston).

Anyone in the US south, midwest and northeast should get a decent spectacle, as will folks in Canada’s southeast and Atlantic coast. Even if you’re not in those regions, you might still see (and can capture) a mini eclipse.

How long with the 2024 solar eclipse last?

From the beginning when the moon first starts to cover the sun (partial eclipse) until the end when the two bodies part ways is a good long time – up to two hours and forty minutes in Dallas, and 2:18 in Caribou, Maine.

However, totality itself is brief, with the duration dependent on how close you are to the center of the totality band and the time of day. It’s at just under four minutes in Dallas, less than three minutes in Presque Island, Maine and a mere minute and 12 seconds in Montreal. As such, you’ll need to be ready and hope that the skies are clear during that brief window.

What’s the weather forecast in my area?

It’s still early for an accurate forecast, but a week is enough to get a general idea by region. Suffice to say, April isn’t the ideal month for clear skies. That said, an eclipse can still be visible through light cloud cover, and even if it’s thick, the sky will grow dramatically dark.

Unfortunately, the odds of precipitation are indeed above average across most of the band of the eclipse. Forecasts predict that the chances for clear skies are better the farther northeast you live, the opposite of historical trends.

To wit, Dallas has showers forecast throughout the day (58 percent), which would mean continuous cloud cover and no clear view if that holds. That improves a bit when you get to Indianapolis (partly cloudy, 24 percent chance of rain), with things better still in Buffalo, New York (partly cloudy, 11 percent).

Things are looking good right now in Montreal, though, with mostly sunny skies and only a 9 percent chance of rain, and the same goes for Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Niagara Falls also figures to have decent weather during the eclipse (mostly sunny, 18 percent) and is in the path of totality, which has led to the city declaring a state of emergency out of caution. Officials estimate that a million people could pour into the area, creating potentially dangerous crowds.

How can I watch the solar eclipse at home?

Staring at the sun is obviously dangerous for your vision, and doing so during an eclipse can be just as harmful. Even though you may not feel discomfort immediately, you may damage your eyes via an affliction called solar retinopathy. That can lead to serious consequences like eye pain, blind spots, blurred vision and more.

How to watch (and record) the solar eclipseHow to watch (and record) the solar eclipse

American Astronomical Society

To view it safely, you must purchase a pair of approved solar eclipse glasses based on an international safety standard called ISO 12312-2 (regular sunglasses won’t do). That dictates the maximum luminous transmittance, along with the range of permissible wavelength transmittance (UVA, UVB and infrared).

There’s certainly still time to grab a pair if you don’t have them already. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has many recommendations for manufacturers and vendors, both online and at retail chains.

Warby Parker, for one, is offering free glasses (limit two per person while supplies last). You can also find them at Staples, Lowes and Walmart, or online at B&H and multiple science and astronomy stores.

The AAS advises against searching for the lowest price on Amazon or eBay, however, in case you get a bad knock off. “Before you buy a solar viewer or filter online, we recommend that you make sure that (1) the seller is identified on the site and (2) the seller is listed on this page,” it says on its Solar Eclipse Across America site.

How to watch the solar eclipse safely without glasses

How to watch (and record) the solar eclipseHow to watch (and record) the solar eclipse

Canadian Space Agency

It’s possible to view an eclipse without glasses via indirect means, as well. The simplest way is by punching a small round hole in a piece of thick paper or cardboard, then positioning it so the sun shines through the hole onto the ground or a flat surface (you can also attach a piece of foil with a hole, as NASA shows here). That will project an image of the Sun’s disc, letting you see the eclipse in real time.

The same pinhole principle would let you use anything with perforated holes, like a colander, projecting dozens of tiny eclipses on a surface. Trees can do the same thing, casting weird leaf shadows with little solar eclipse chunks out of them.

How to watch (and record) the solar eclipseHow to watch (and record) the solar eclipse

Benjamin Seigh/Wikimedia

For a bit better experience, you can build a crude box projector. With that, the sun shines through a hole in tin foil onto a white card, and you can look through a larger hole at the card, with the sun behind you. The Canadian Space Agency explains exactly how to make that.

Never, ever view an eclipse directly through a pair of binoculars or a telescope, as that’s a guaranteed way to damage your eyes. That said, you can use a pair of binoculars or a telescope to project the sun onto a piece of paper, as shown in this video.

How to take photos or video of the solar eclipse

Unfortunately, you can’t just point your smartphone or camera at the sun to record the eclipse, as the brightness will overwhelm the sensor and ruin the image (and possibly damage the sensor). Luckily, you can shield your camera just as you do your eyes.

The cheapest way to do that is to buy an extra set of eclipse glasses, then cut out an eyepiece from one and tape it over the smartphone (or other camera) lens. That will reduce the light levels enough to see detail in the sun throughout the partial eclipse and totality.

You can also purchase dedicated smartphone solar filters like the VisiSolar Photo Filter, which are designed for cameras and not direct viewing. Another choice is the Solar Snap Eclipse App Kit, which also offers an app that aids in photographing the eclipsed sun. It’s advisable to also wear solar glasses when setting up your smartphone or camera to protect your eyes.

If you’re shooting the eclipse with a dedicated mirrorless or DSLR camera, you’ll need either a mylar, 16-stop ND (neutral density) or hydrogen alpha solar filter. Again, do not look directly into a DSLR’s optical viewfinder at the sun if the lens doesn’t have one of those filters attached (the electronic viewfinder on a mirrorless camera is safe).

To photograph the eclipse with a smartphone, turn the flash off and put the camera into ultrawide or wide mode so it stays in frame. Do NOT look directly at the sun to line up your camera if you’re not wearing solar eclipse glasses.

Don’t use the digital zoom to try to make the eclipse bigger, as you’ll lose resolution (you can zoom in later in your photo editing app). Once focus is set on the sun, use your smartphone’s focus lock feature so that it doesn’t “hunt” for focus and blur the eclipse.

During totality, the “diamond ring” effect only lasts a split second, so use the burst mode of your camera or you’ll likely miss the shot. And try to capture RAW (rather than JPEG) images to keep the maximum detail possible for later editing. Some iPhone and Android smartphones have RAW capability built-in, if not, you can use a third-party app.

If you decide to capture video, you’ll need a filter as well, of course. But you should also use a tripod, as shooting handheld will induce blur and result in a shaky video. Even a cheap tripod will do the trick, along with a simple smartphone holder. Capture the highest resolution you can (4K or even 8K) at the highest quality possible. You’ll also capture any cheering, shouting, etc. — a precious souvenir you can look back on again and again.

More resources

There are plenty of government and private sites with more information about the eclipse, starting with the AAS’s eclipse site, detailing things like eye safety, imaging, resources and even a totality app — an “interactive map that shows what you’ll see at any location in North America for the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.”

NASA also offers a dedicated site for the North American Eclipse, as does the National Weather Service and National Solar Observatory. A private site called Great American Eclipse is largely commercial, but does have a very useful map showing the band of totality and how much of the eclipse you’ll see depending on location, along with a comprehensive list of eclipse times and durations by city.

Update, April 5, 12:30PM ET: This story was updated after publishing to include more details about the total solar eclipse’s path of totality.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
Entertainment

Alienware’s 32-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor is total overkill, but in a good way

[ad_1]

While I love Alienware’s retro look, it’s admittedly not as refined as Apple’s Studio Display, which is a glorious work of brushed metal art. Then again, that screen is only 27 inches, costs $1,599 and doesn’t support high refresh rates for gaming, so the Alienware is a far better value. Dell also gives you all the ports you’d need: A DisplayPort connection with 240Hz support; HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120Hz console gaming; HDMI eArc/Arc to connect to soundbars and receivers; USB-C 3.2 with power charging; three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports; and a USB-B upstream connection to your PC.

The Alienware’s QD-OLED panel has all of the benefits of OLED — inky dark blacks and high contrast — along with the power of Quantum Dots, allowing for richer colors and potentially greater brightness. The most striking thing about the 32-inch monitor is that games and movies look like they’re practically painted on. It’s like a direct digital feed to your eyeballs. An anti-reflective coating keeps distracting ambient light out of sight, while its ability to cover 99 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut makes colors appear rich and vibrant.

Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo InfiniteAlienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo Infinite

There’s also support for Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, both of which mean you can expect deep black levels in games and movies, while very bright elements in the same scene are well-balanced. The monitor supports 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is enough to make your eyes tear up while staring at the sun in Halo Infinite (Pro-tip: don’t do this in real life). Most LCD-based 4K TVs are far brighter, but those are better-suited to living rooms where you’re sitting far away, rather than a screen that’s just a foot or two away from your eyes.

As a gaming monitor, the 32-inch Alienware QD-OLED excelled at everything I threw at it. Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077 and Helldivers 2 all looked incredible, with eye-searingly bright highlights and bold-yet-realistic colors. During some sessions, it almost felt like I was truly seeing those games for the first time. I noticed details in my Halo character’s armor I completely missed on other displays, and the neon glow of Cyberpunk‘s Night City almost leaped off the screen. Mostly, though, I just felt completely immersed in whatever I was playing. It was as if the edges of the monitor bled away and their digital worlds were being directly injected into my eyeballs. Or maybe I’ve just been playing too much Helldivers 2.

Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo InfiniteAlienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo Infinite

Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

I knew from the start that I wouldn’t be reaching 240 fps in 4K with most titles (even while running on an RTX 4080 Super and Ryzen 7900X), but the 32-inch Alienware still delivered smooth gameplay in Halo Infinite while I hovered around 130 fps. (You can also thank NVIDIA’s G-SYNC tech for that, since it locks in the refresh rate to avoid screen tearing and lag issues.) 4K gaming becomes more palatable when you’re upscaling titles using NVIDIA’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR technology, but even then it’s still tough to crack 150 fps or more. I had to play most games in 1440p to go beyond 200 fps. (For fast-paced shooters and racing games, I’d much rather have a higher refresh rate than a minuscule 4K fidelity bump.)

While super-fast 4K gaming is a bit unrealistic at the moment, it may become more feasible as GPUs get beefier and upscaling tech becomes even more efficient. The Alienware 32-inch QD-OLED is ready for that future. The real question for gamers today, though, is if it’s worth shelling out $1,299 just to be primed for what’s to come. It’s still a fantastic display, and looks great while watching films and putzing around the web. Text looked crisp and clear, and that crazy high refresh rate makes scrolling through websites silky smooth. As with most monitors though, it’s worth waiting a bit to see how it depreciates. The excellent 34-inch Alienware QD-OLED ultrawide also launched at $1,299 two years ago, but now you can nab it for $900.

Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo InfiniteAlienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor playing Halo Infinite

Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Like Alienware’s QD-OLED ultrawide before it, the company’s 32-inch 4K gaming monitor is a marvel, with excellent brightness, contrast and rich color depth. It’s so immersive that at times it feels more like a virtual window than a mere screen. It’s also completely overkill for most games. But for the few that can justify the price, it’ll be a worthwhile gaming investment for years to come.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
News

How to photograph the upcoming total solar eclipse 2024

How to photograph the 2024 Total Solar eclipse

As the date of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, approaches, photographers of all levels of experience are presented with the opportunity to document one of nature’s most stunning displays across America. Capturing the eclipse requires preparation and knowledge, and this guide aims to equip you with the necessary information to photograph the event with confidence. Jeff Geerling who has successfully captured fantastic photographs of a previous eclipse explains his method and others on how you can use different methods to photograph the solar eclipse.

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada.

Sun Safety

First and foremost, safety should be your top priority. The intense rays of the sun can cause serious damage to both your eyes and camera if proper precautions are not taken. It is crucial to use solar filters that are specifically designed for cameras to prevent any harm. For those who are mindful of their budget, creating a filter with Baader AstroSolar film is a cost-effective option, though it must be made with great care to ensure it provides sufficient protection.

When it comes to camera settings, manual control is key to obtaining the best images. Using a low ISO setting will help reduce graininess in your photos, and selecting the right aperture is important for keeping your images sharp. The exposure time will need to be adjusted as the eclipse progresses, so staying alert and ready to change settings is important. A reliable tripod is also necessary to prevent any movement that could blur your photos during the longer exposure times needed, especially when capturing the finer details of the sun with a zoom lens.

Photographing a total solar eclipse

Another technique that can be incredibly useful is exposure bracketing. This involves taking multiple shots at different exposure levels. This way, you can capture the wide range of light levels during the eclipse, from the brighter partial phases to the moment of totality when the sun is completely covered and the sky grows dark enough to see stars and planets. Jeff Geerling explains more about his experiences capturing the previous total solar eclipse and how you will be photographing the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse.

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of photography :

Another technique that can be incredibly useful is exposure bracketing. This involves taking multiple shots at different exposure levels. This way, you can capture the wide range of light levels during the eclipse, from the brighter partial phases to the moment of totality when the sun is completely covered and the sky grows dark enough to see stars and planets.

For those who are more technologically savvy, there are advanced options like using a Raspberry Pi-based system to automate the process of taking high-resolution images of the eclipse. These setups can be complex, but they offer a way to document the eclipse without having to manually control the camera. Even if you can’t make it to the path of totality, there are still ways to be part of the event. Organizations such as NASA will be streaming the eclipse live, which can be an excellent educational resource for anyone interested in learning more about eclipse photography or preparing for future eclipses.

How to capture the total solar eclipse

Photographing a total solar eclipse, such as the one expected in 2024, presents a unique opportunity for both amateur and professional photographers to capture one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, equipment, and considerations to successfully photograph the eclipse, combining technical advice with practical tips to ensure you get the best possible shots.

Understanding the Eclipse Phases

  • Partial Phase: This is when the moon starts moving over the sun, gradually covering it. During this phase, it’s crucial to use a solar filter to protect your camera and eyes.
  • Totality: This occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, revealing the solar corona. It’s safe to remove the solar filter during this brief period to capture the corona’s intricate details.
  • Partial Phase (again): As the moon moves away, the sun begins to reappear, requiring the reattachment of the solar filter until the eclipse ends.

Equipment Checklist

  • Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode capabilities is ideal for eclipse photography.
  • Lens: A telephoto lens (200mm or greater) is recommended for close-up shots of the eclipse phases. For totality, a wider lens can capture the landscape under the darkened sky.
  • Solar Filter: Essential for photographing the partial phases to protect your camera sensor and eyes.
  • Tripod: A sturdy tripod is crucial for stability, especially for long telephoto lenses.
  • Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Eclipse photography can be battery and storage intensive.

Preparing Your Camera

  • Focus: Autofocus may struggle with the dim light during totality. Practice manual focusing on distant objects in advance.
  • Exposure Settings: Start with ISO 100, aperture f/8, and a shutter speed of 1/500 for the partial phases with a solar filter. During totality, remove the filter and adjust exposure settings to capture the corona’s detail. Experiment with ISOs between 400 and 1600, shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1 second, depending on the corona’s brightness and desired detail level.
  • Bracketing: Use exposure bracketing to capture a range of exposures, especially during totality, to ensure you get a well-exposed shot of the corona and any surrounding stars.

Practice and Planning

  • Scout Your Location: Choose a location within the path of totality to experience the full eclipse. Ensure your view is unobstructed and consider the sun’s position in the sky during the eclipse.
  • Weather Considerations: Monitor the weather forecast and have a backup plan. Cloud cover can obstruct your view of the eclipse.
  • Practice Shots: Practice taking photos with your solar filter and adjusting settings quickly. Familiarize yourself with switching from filtered to unfiltered shooting for totality.

Safety First

  • Eye Protection: Never look directly at the sun without proper eclipse glasses, except during totality.
  • Camera Protection: Always use a solar filter on your lens when photographing the sun outside of totality to prevent damage to your camera sensor.

Creative Considerations

  • Composition: Consider including interesting foreground elements to add context to your eclipse photos. This can add a unique touch that distinguishes your images.
  • Experiment: Totality is a great time to experiment with different settings, including capturing the “diamond ring” effect just before and after totality.

Post-Processing

  • Editing: Use photo editing software to enhance details, adjust exposure, and combine images for a dynamic range of the eclipse’s phases.
  • Share Your Work: Consider sharing your eclipse photos with online communities or local photography groups to get feedback and learn from others’ experiences.

Photographing the 2024 total solar eclipse is an endeavor that requires careful preparation, the right equipment, and a willingness to face the technical challenges and unpredictable nature of the event. By adhering to these guidelines, you will be well-prepared to capture the breathtaking phenomenon of the eclipse and achieve a remarkable feat in your photography pursuits. Learn more about the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse over on the NASA website.

Filed Under: Guides, Top News





Latest timeswonderful Deals

Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.