Can you watch the solar eclipse or film it with your phone? Here's how to do it safely
Taking out your phone and capturing an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime moment makes sense.
However, when it comes to eclipses, you should take a second to check if you can record it for an Instagram Reel safely without causing lasting damage to your eyes or your smartphone camera.
A partial solar eclipse is set to be visible to parts of the United States is set to begin a little before sunrise on Saturday, March 29, 2025, according to NASA.
"The eclipse is more than half over at sunrise in New England but lasts long enough for observers there to catch at least a few minutes of the event," NASA said. "This is a partial eclipse everywhere in the shadow path. The central umbra shadow misses the Earth."
The partial solar eclipse is set to end a little after 7 a.m.
Here's what you need to know about capturing a moment of Saturday's partial solar eclipse.
In Worcester, the eclipse will start before sunrise and last until 7:08 a.m., according to Date and Time, on Saturday March 29. Currently, the forecast is calling for overcast skies and rain on the morning of the eclipse, which could hinder viewing.
According to NASA, an unprotected phone's sensor could be damaged, just like any other image sensor, if pointed directly at the sun.
A NASA post on X, formerly Twitter, said a best practice would be to hold a pair of eclipse glasses in front of the phone's lens when photographing the sun at any point during the eclipse.
Here are some tips by NASA for taking pictures of a total solar eclipse.
To take images when the sun is partially eclipsed, you'll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera.
If you don't have a telephoto zoom lens, focus on taking landscape shots and capture the changing environment. Using a tripod can help you stabilize the camera and avoid taking blurry images when there is low lighting. Additionally, using a delayed shutter release timer will allow you to snap shots without jiggling the camera.
Anywhere you can point your camera can yield exceptional imagery, so be sure to compose some wide-angle photos that can capture your eclipse experience.
NASA photographer Bill Ingalls recommends focusing on the human experience of watching the eclipse. 'The real pictures are going to be of the people around you pointing, gawking, and watching it,' Ingalls noted. 'Those are going to be some great moments to capture to show the emotion of the whole thing.'
To avoid any damage to your smartphone camera, you will need to purchase an ISO-certified filter, ISO 12312-2.
You should never directly look at a solar eclipse, partial or otherwise, without proper eye protection.
Solar eclipse eye protection: Reminder: You need eclipse glasses to look at the partial eclipse. Where to get them
Additionally, while it's not recommended to directly observe a solar eclipse through your phone's camera or screen without proper filters or equipment, you can certainly use your phone to indirectly view or capture the eclipse safely.
To ensure safety, make sure you're wearing your solar eclipse glasses while witnessing the solar eclipse.
Jennifer Dixon contributed to the reporting of this story.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Partial solar eclipse 2025: How to watch, film it on your phone
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