The solar eclipse will start before sunrise on Monday, April 8, 2024 (11 AM EST) in the Southern Pacific Ocean near Tahiti and Polynesia. The eclipse will cross the Pacific from the southwest to the northeast, with the path of totality crossing through Northern Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Lake Erie, Niagara Falls, Lake Ontario, central Maine, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, ending in the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland and Britain at sunset (5 PM EST)
A partial eclipse is exactly what it sounds like: the moon partially covers the sun, creating a narrow solar crescent. The closer you are to the path of totality, the less of the sun you will see, and the darker the sky will get. In 2024, Philadelphia will experience 89% coverage of the sun starting at 2:08 PM, with its maximum at 3:23 PM, and ending at 4:35 PM
An annular eclipse is similar to a partial eclipse in that it only covers the sun partially. Unlike a partial eclipse, however, the shadow of the moon is too small to cover the sun. What viewers will see of the sun is an annulus, or “ring of fire” around the moon. The April 2024 eclipse, however, will not be annular, but a…
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun, an event called totality. The path of totality of the 2024 eclipse is less than 100 miles, and totality will last between 3-5 minutes
In general, looking directly at the sun is dangerous to your vision. Likewise, even as the moon is covering the sun, the sun is still dangerously bright. Safely looking at the partially eclipsed sun requires special solar filters, or “eclipse glasses.” Regular sunglasses will not do.
However, during totality, when the moon completely covers the sun and the sky becomes visibly darker, it is safe to look at the eclipse without eclipse glasses. Please note that you have to be in the path of totality to experience a total solar eclipse. Anywhere or anytime outside the window of totality, viewers should wear eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.
Similar to eye safety during an eclipse, solar filters should also be fitted over cameras, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical devices. Without a solar filter, the concentration of solar rays can enter and damage the lens and your eyes. Therefore, even if you are using eclipse glasses, these devices need their own level of solar protection to not only ensure their functionality, but also protect your eyes from solar bombardment. Only during totality can the solar filter be removed to photograph the total eclipse.
A point-and-shoot camera is fine for capturing the overall scene of the eclipse. For more detailed photos, use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a long lens. The longer the lens, the more detail will be captured. It is also recommended to use a tripod, possibly with a remote trigger, to reduce camera sway, especially with a longer lens.
