On October 14, those residing along the path of the upcoming annular solar eclipse stretching from Oregon to Texas will be treated to a celestial event that won’t reoccur for several decades.
Doug Duncan, a leading astronomer and eclipse expert at the University of Colorado at Boulder, emphasized the ideal viewing conditions for San Antonio residents, as they are strategically positioned to witness the maximum eclipse.
An annular solar eclipse holds a distinct allure because of the moon’s slightly elliptical orbit around the Earth. As Duncan explained, this elliptical orbit can position the moon slightly farther from the Earth, causing it to appear somewhat smaller. On October 14, this celestial alignment will result in the moon being just slightly too small to completely obscure the sun, creating a mesmerizing “ring of fire” effect. Fortunately, San Antonio will offer a prime vantage point for observing this captivating phenomenon.
In this age of social media, capturing and sharing eclipse photos has become a popular trend. However, Duncan pointed out the crucial importance of safeguarding your phone’s camera when attempting to photograph the sun.
To address this need, Duncan collaborated with John Jerit, the founder and CEO of American Paper Optics, to develop a specialized filter designed to protect your phone’s camera while enabling you to capture snapshots of the sun or an eclipse. This innovative product is known as the Solar Snap.
Jerit explained that the Solar Snap kit includes two snap filters, along with two pieces of Velcro for attachment to your phone’s camera. To ensure proper alignment, the kit also provides eclipse glasses and a digital download that offers guidance on using the cell snap effectively and achieving optimal focus.
Both Duncan and Jerit emphasized the importance of wearing certified safe solar eclipse glasses during any eclipse to protect your eyes. Ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection. These glasses should bear ISO and CE certification to ensure their safety.
The duo also noted that the same eclipse glasses and filters suitable for the upcoming annular solar eclipse will also serve admirably for the total eclipse scheduled for April 8, 2024. As a result, they advised people to hold onto their eclipse glasses for future use.
Duncan shared his plans to visit San Antonio from Colorado for the annular solar eclipse on October 14. He intends to accompany a group of college students who will launch a balloon to capture images and observe the eclipse. Armed with his own Solar Snap-equipped phone, Duncan anticipates returning home with cherished eclipse souvenirs.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Genz Flash journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.