Smartphone Partial Eclipse Combined

Photographer: Douglas Duncan
Country: United States of America

In 2021 Maine, USA, bore witness to a captivating partial solar eclipse, an astronomical spectacle when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, partially blocking the Sun’s radiant light as viewed from Earth. This image used a smartphone and an app and filter called Solar Snap, invented by the photographer, to capture various stages of this celestial phenomenon. It is important to note that observing a solar eclipse should only be done with proper eye protection to avoid eye damage caused by direct exposure to sunlight. During a solar eclipse, the Moon reaches a point in its orbit where it is between Earth and the Sun, resulting in partial or complete coverage of the Sun’s disc, depending on the specific relative positions. This composite image seamlessly combines six distinct moments, presenting the Moon's gradual journey across the Sun’s disc, and receives an honourable mention in the category of Still images taken exclusively with smartphones/mobile devices. Each crescent showcased represents a unique phase of this captivating event, offering a fleeting glimpse into the wonder of our natural world. Accessible tools like smartphones, coupled with appropriate apps and filters, enable individuals to safely document and cherish these remarkable celestial events.

Also see image in Zenodo: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10359529

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