How to Can photograph a solar eclipse with your cellphone

We know that the solar eclipse of April 8 can cause damage to the eyes if observed without protective glasses. The same goes for cameras, which could be damaged if used without a proper filter. And this also applies to smartphones.

It is the camera sensor that detects light and then converts it into an image; it is, in a way, the retina of our devices. We must therefore cover their lens with a filter complying with the ISO 12312-2 standard to avoid breaking them. Please note: this filter must completely cover the front of the device bezel.

NASA also warns that you should not look at the sun through your camera's viewfinder, even with protective glasses, because it can concentrate the Sun's rays like a telescope: they could then pass through the glasses and burn the retina.

However, it is safe to take photos without a filter during the period of total darkness, just as it is possible to watch the eclipse with the naked eye at this precise moment.

“We really want to commemorate an event like that,” recognizes an astrophysicist in an interview. She recommends using specialized filters, but “if you really want to do it a bit “homemade”, a smartphone and your eclipse glasses over the camera can do the job.”

NASA also offers some advice to people who want to take good eclipse photos, including using a tripod and a self-timer to stabilize the camera and avoid blurry images. This is particularly important when the light is low. Adjusting the exposure – the amount of light that reaches the sensor – will also be necessary to obtain good results.

The astrophysicist points out, however, that the total eclipse will last from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on where you are. So now is not the time to play with your phone to take a photo. “There are lots of beautiful images of the eclipse that will be released by professionals. Really, look with your naked eye and enjoy the show, because you don't know if you're going to see another one. »

This observation is shared by the American Astronomical Society. It is unlikely that you will be able to take good photos of the eclipse without professional equipment. Why not just put your phone away and enjoy the moment?

The eclipse of the century. What you need to know about the April 8 eclipse (I)

On Monday, April 8, southern Quebec will witness an unprecedented cosmic phenomenon: the sky will darken in the middle of the afternoon, a first in 92 years in Montreal. But what is a solar eclipse? What to expect that day? And when will the next eclipses of this kind occur in Quebec? Decryption.

Let's quickly recall a few facts: the Moon, the Earth's natural satellite, revolves around the planet in approximately one month, while the latter completes its revolution around the Sun in one year. When these three stars are aligned, we then witness an eclipse, explains astrophysicist Robert Lamontagne.

“In the case of a solar eclipse, the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are aligned” in this precise order, explains the man who has long been director of the telescope at the Mont-Mégantic Observatory. “So the Moon is exactly between us and the Sun. It’s a bit like when we walk outside and it’s sunny: we see our shadow [on the ground]. In this case, it is the shadow of the Moon which happens to touch the Earth. »

The dimensions of the Moon and the Sun as well as their respective distance from the Earth mean that the two stars appear to be approximately the same size in the sky. During a total eclipse, the Moon perfectly covers the Sun, completely hiding it from view for a period of time. That of April 8 will last approximately three minutes.

We can sometimes witness an annular solar eclipse, where the Moon takes up less space in the sky and reveals a ring of light around it as it passes in front of the Sun. The next eclipse visible from Quebec will take place in 2048.

The opposite phenomenon, that is to say when the Earth is aligned between the Sun and the Moon, gives rise to a lunar eclipse (the next one will take place in March 2025 in Canada). The portion of the Moon hidden by the Earth then takes on a reddish tint, the result of solar rays refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. Given the larger size of planet Earth compared to its natural satellite, it is much more common to observe lunar eclipses than solar eclipses, underlines Mr. Lamontagne.

(to be continued)

Zodiac signs that will be lucky in the next 6 months of 2024. Their fate changes after the solar eclipse on April 8

The solar eclipse on April 8 brings new major changes in the lives of several signs in the European horoscope. Their lives can change radically, especially since these natives realize the importance of change and choose to raise their level of quality of life.

Love, money, health and solving many problems are announced to be the main changes. Find out from the lines below if your zodiac sign can also be counted among them.

Aries give the blow on the financial plan

People born under this zodiac sign choose to let go of the lifestyle that holds them back and gives them no advantage. Many of them probably choose to leave their current job for a much better one. Also, as far as natives with an entrepreneurial spirit are concerned, chances are high that they will open their own business or partner with a partner.

Cancers get out of toxic relationships

The love plan targets these natives in the coming period. Many who become aware that they are in toxic relationships will find the courage to get out of them.

Libras solve several age-old problems

It's time for Libras to do justice to them and fix more stressful situations in their lives. It may be a conflict about an injustice done to them. If Libras have lost hope by now, solutions will appear shortly.

Capricorns get rid of several health problems

These natives find the cure for various autoimmune diseases they face. Their frustration and all their pains may come to an end in the coming period. Capricorns who face financial problems, on the other hand, will have a big surprise.

Virgos' lives change for the better

Many natives of this zodiac sign will experience immense joy. Whether we're talking about the birth of a child or other family changes, Virgos will know they've hit the jackpot.

Bulls fulfill their biggest dream

Determination, self-discipline and the need to radically change their lives will lead Taurus to give up environments and people that stop their evolution. The time has come for a new chapter of their lives to begin in the next period.

April 8 Total Solar Eclipse that fascinates North America (II)

The gang starts from Mexico (Mazatlan area), crosses the USA and reaches Canada (the end is in the Newfoundland region). 

The last total solar eclipse visible from the US was in 2017, but the band of totality was smaller and less wide. At the eclipse seven years ago, the number of people living inside the band of totality was 12 million people. At the current eclipse, it is about 32 million US residents.

Millions of people are expected to come inside the belt of totality, as 150 million people live within 350 km of areas where the Sun will be completely covered.

Some cities have been preparing for three years for the big event which is seen as an opportunity to attract tourists to areas where they would otherwise not be tempted to come. There will be more police and some cities have installed lots of public toilets. People have been warned that mobile phone networks may suffer in places where many thousands of people will gather.

Festivals and concerts are also organized on the day of the eclipse. 

There was also no shortage of conspiracy theories claiming that the eclipse would bring disaster, such as a collapse of communications networks.

Heavy traffic jams are expected, airlines have introduced special flights to cities where the eclipse will be best seen, and there are towns expecting tens of thousands of tourists on April 8.

So the 2024 eclipse will be watched by far more people than seven years ago, the period of darkness will last longer and for many it is an occasion worth taking a long flight or driving over 10 hours for to the band of totality.

April 8 Total Solar Eclipse that fascinates North America (I)

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby completely or partially obscuring the solar disk for an observer on Earth.

How do solar eclipses occur? 

The Moon revolves around the Earth, and the Earth and Moon revolve around the Sun. Sometimes it happens that the Moon interposes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking its light.

Eclipses are not only interesting for the general public, but also for researchers, because they are a good opportunity to study the solar corona, a region that is generally difficult to analyze precisely because the sun is so bright.

​Solar eclipses are special events and people can't wait to see them, but few eclipses have generated as much interest as the one that will be visible from North America on April 8. For some cities it will be the biggest event in recent decades and millions of people will come to the area where it will be night for a few minutes. Why is this eclipse special?

This solar eclipse is special because the band of totality, i.e. the area where it will be dark in broad daylight, is several thousand km long and even more than 180 km wide.

In addition, the Sun will be covered for longer: the 2017 eclipse had a maximum coverage of 2 minutes and 40 seconds, and the April 8, 2024 eclipse will have a maximum of 4 minutes and 28 seconds. There will be 3 minutes and 51 seconds of darkness in Dallas, two seconds less in Indianapolis, and three and a half minutes in Niagara Falls. NASA has a lot of information about the eclipse, and to see it you can go here.

In most cases, inside the band of totality - if you go 40km towards its center - you can get an extra 90 seconds of darkness during the eclipse, which isn't bad at all for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

(to be continued)

Mercury retrograde. The sign that wakes up with ex-partners at the door: Do you still want something from those people or not?

Astrology surprises us again with cosmic events that can influence our daily lives. During this period, as I said before, Mercury, the planet of communication, begins its retrograde in the sign of Aries, an important astrological moment that deserves our attention.

The impact of Mercury retrograde

This day has also come when Mercury begins its retrograde in the sign of Aries. This trend became visible a few days ago if we think about it. Surely a lot will happen lately. Mercury will retrograde until April 25th, but keep in mind that the effects will last until May 15th. It should be noted that during this period there is an eclipse. plus we are approaching the great Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on April 21st. So, all in all Mercury will give us a lot of trouble.

Taurus: A period of reflection

We now go to Taurus or those with the ascendant in Taurus. As I said yesterday, too much basis on this past. Mercury retrogrades in the twelfth house and you might realize that you've been doing yourself a bit of a disservice. You may realize that you have done a lot of damage and what is happening at the moment? Anger, lots of anger, guess who? All over you. I am not saying to be angry with others, but I am saying to learn to be gentler with yourself.

Libra: Confrontations and reunions

We are now going to Libra or those with the ascendant in Libra, you will meet with former partners or the partner you have now, some discussions appear out of nowhere that can challenge you quite a bit. If people come back into your lives, message you again, write you again, like you on Facebook, it doesn't mean they want something from you. You have to figure out if you want anything more from those people

Astrological predictions Taurus and Scorpio. They will have an unforgettable month!

Monthly Horoscope. April's Key Event is the Great Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction!

On April 21, 2024, the Great Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction will take place in the sign of Taurus! This event, which last took place in 1941, will have amazing effects both globally and personally. Jupiter represents opportunity and expansion, Uranus deals with instability and change, and the Taurus archetype speaks of safety and comfort.

Globally, we are already going through financial transformations or technological revolutions that will leave their mark on the coming decades. On a personal level, when Jupiter and Uranus meet and form an important aspect in the natal chart, it is clear that the native will experience an uprooting meant to bring him progress.

Taurus/Taurus Ascendant

You will be the protagonist of April! The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction will happen in your sign! Because Uranus is involved, we recommend that you don't make plans or have expectations! The best thing you can consider is embracing the new! You are quite pragmatic and resistant to change, but this time it is no longer the case! If you want progress and evolution, you have to take risks and get out of mothballs! Many natives will want to be more independent and rebellious. In addition, if you choose to create challenges yourself, the stars will definitely be in your favor! Don't let April just pass you by!

Scorpio/Scorpio Ascendant

The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction will take place in the seventh house of relationships and partnerships. Singles will have opportunities just when they least expect it. It will be the right people in the right place! Moreover, we also recommend them to try to interact with other human patterns. And let yourself be carried away by life. For those in old and blasé relationships, this conjunction will bring serious challenges to rekindle passion. And those who have been waiting to get out of a relationship that hasn't worked for some time will find the courage to leave.