PLEASE do not look at the sun unless you are wearing proper eclipse glasses.

On Monday April 8th, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse over the USA, Mexico, and Canada. If you are able to travel to the path of totality, I’d highly recommend it, as the next eclipse over the US won’t be until 2045. The difference between a 99% partial eclipse and totality is literally night and day. Remember: it is only safe to look without solar filters during the totality period if you are in the narrow band where totality occurs.

These are good resources for finding out exactly when/how long totality will occur for your location, as well as recommended camera exposure settings:

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/SolarEclipseExposure.html

Here is some random assortment of advice:

• Don’t forget your solar filter. This goes on the FRONT of your lens/telescope before the light hits any of the optics. Do not look through a telescope or viewfinder with only eclipse glasses on your eyes. You will burn your retinas and damage your equipment.

• Have backup location(s) in case your main observing spot is cloudy on the day of.

• Use an intervolometer or control your camera via PC to automate your camera during totality. It’s better to take in the eclipse with your own eyes instead of fiddling with camera settings. If something goes wrong at the last minute just leave it be and enjoy the eclipse.

• Do a full practice run to test out all of you equipment before hand. Get used to taking your solar filter on and off quickly. Bring extra batteries, cables, SD cards, etc.

• You’re gonna be outside for a while on a (hopefully) sunny day. Bring plenty of water, suncreeen, and snacks.

• Don’t forget your solar filter. You want to focus your camera during the partial phases with the filter on, so that way you’re ready to go as soon as totality starts.

• Be prepared for eclipse traffic. During the 2017 eclipse I drove to my site in 3 hours the day before, and took 9 hours to drive back right after the eclipse. Top off on gas beforehand.

• For those with widefield setups, comet 12P will be fairly close to the eclipse and about mag +4.7. Several planets will be visible too.

• It’s okay if you aren’t exactly on the centerline in the path of totality. Even going 2 miles into the zone of totality will get you a whole minute of total eclipse time, and going halfway to the centerline will get you over 3 minutes.

• At this point it’s probably too late to book a flight or hotel that isn’t stupidly expensive. Personally, I’m gonna sleep in a walmart parking lot the night before the eclipse.

• DON’T forget your solar filter.

Please keep our community rules in mind when sharing your eclipse pics (titles, acquisition/processing info, etc). I can’t wait to see what everyone is going to capture in just a few more weeks!