CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Monday is the big day, the solar eclipse.
The U.S. hasn't seen a solar eclipse spanning across the country in nearly seven years. With all of this excitement comes a lot of questions.
The Carolinas aren’t in the path of totality for the eclipse, but in North Carolina, we’ll get around 80% coverage. Because this doesn’t happen often, many people are going to be pulling out their phones to snap photos.
WCNC Charlotte viewer Toni B wrote in asking us, can you use your cell phone to take a picture of the eclipse without damaging it? Or can you take a piece of film from disposable eclipse glasses to cover your camera lens and be able to take a picture?
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WHAT WE FOUND
NASA published detailed guidelines for smartphone eclipse photography with the caveat that “smartphones were never designed to do sun and moon photography."
Jacobs agreed it's best to not use your phone’s camera during the eclipse.
"It will possibly will damage the phone," he said. "The thing to remember is you are pointing your camera, or or phone at a star. There's a lot of heat that can be generated even in that moment that you do that. I would recommend that you not do it."
Jacobs said there are options for people who want to safely use their phone’s camera during the event.
"I would recommend you pick up a solar filter. Basically, a camera would need to be the sensor would need to be covered by the filter in order to keep it safe," Jacobs said.
He said if you cant find a solar filter with such short notice? Your eclipse glasses will work just fine.
"These can be purchased anywhere from $3 to $9 a pair," he said. "You can basically take the solar glass, put it over the lens and record that way."
But for those amateur photographers trying to snap a picture of the eclipse? Jacobs said you likely won’t get a great photo anyways.
"It doesn't have a lot of zoom, so you would basically end up with the little dot in the sky," he said. "You'd be able to see it, but it wouldn't be very impressive."
Instead? Jacobs suggested living in the moment.
"Do a selfie with your glasses on, maybe turn around so you get everybody around. Make a great composition that way," he said.
So we can VERIFY that if you plan to take a photo of the eclipse with your phone, you should use a proper solar filter or eclipse glasses over the lens.
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