Brits urged NOT to take photos of solar eclipse on their phones, NASA warns

BRITS have been urged not to watch the solar eclipse through their phones or they risk causing damage to their device. The dramatic eclipse on Wednesday is said to deliver the best coverage of the Sun since 1999, with millions set to watch around the world. Skywatchers are being urged to protect their phone cameras during the solar eclipse Credit: Getty Those wanting to photograph the solar eclipse through their phones should take a precaution before shining their device at the Sun. Pointing your phone directly into the Sun’s rays to take a photograph could damage your phone camera’s hardware, especially the sensor. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! Without protection on your phone camera, the rays can overheat the camera module inside the lens, permanently burning parts that make up the sensor. This can ultimately leave your camera sensor with blotches or dead pixels that can’t be recovered or fixed. When asked at the time of the total solar eclipse in the US two years ago, NASA responded: “Yes, the phone sensor could be damaged just like any other image sensor if it’s pointed directly at the Sun. “This is especially true if you’re using any sort of magnifying lens attachment on the phone. “You would need to utilize the proper filters just like on any other camera.” NASA continues to suggest an alternative for this, saying: “The best practice would be to hold a pair of eclipse glasses in front of your phone’s lenses when photographing the Sun at any point other than totality.” Most read in Tech By placing a pair of legitimate solar eclipse glasses in front of your phone camera as a filter, it will help prevent any damage to your lens. Solar eclipse glasses can easily be bought online, with packs ranging between individual pairs, or 25-piece multipacks. The Met Office has revealed where the Sun will be obscured the most in the UK Credit: Met Office It is essential to purchase them from reputable retailers, and those that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standards, such as buying from opticians, science centres, and astronomy suppliers. Skywatchers will be able to see the peak of the eclipse between 7.08pm and 7.13pm on Wednesday, with the coverage and timings set to vary throughout the country. Where to buy solar eclipse glasses deals online Celestron EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Observing Kit 4 x glasses and guidebook, £12.99 from Very – BUY HERE Helioclipse 12 Pack Solar Eclipse Glasses, £17.95 from Amazon – BUY HERE Galaxium 25 Pack Solar Eclipse Glasses, £24.95 from Amazon – BUY HERE Solar Eclipse Glasses, CE and ISO Certified, Made in USA – 2 Pack by Soluna, £5.99 from Amazon – BUY HERE 10 x Solar ECLIPSE Glasses, £7.58 from eBay – BUY HERE Comment now