The Solar Eclipse Could Fry Your Phone If Not Used Properly

Monday, April 8, will be the biggest celestial event of the year and many people will head outdoors to capture the total solar eclipse. However, did you know that using your smartphone to capture the solar eclipse could damage your phone's camera lens or even fry your phone?

New data from SlashGear says people have been going to Google to ask, Can I take a photo of the solar eclipse with my phone or is it safe? Even camera rentals have been searched on Google.

The Risk

After the last partial solar eclipse in 2017, it was reported that people returning rental cameras were damaged. And now that camera lenses have gotten bigger on smartphones they are at a greater risk of becoming damaged even for just a few minutes. SlashGear experts are now saying it could even fry your phone. Is the risk worth the reward of damaging a high-dollar phone?

Certified Filter

If you want to capture the solar eclipse you must use a certified approved solar filter because not using one could damage the camera's sensor within a minute or two. In some instances, the phone may seem to be working properly until a few days later when you start noticing the picture quality is not as good as it once was. Experts say you could damage your eyes if you accidentally look at the solar disk while pointing your phone toward the sun.

How to safely photograph the Solar Eclipse

What is needed according to experts is an ISO-certified filter to protect your phone's camera from solar damage if you plan on taking your pictures. The American Astronomical Society says the standard filter covering the camera's lens is the same as certified ISO-eclipse glasses ISO-12312-2 for direct viewing of the sun.

"If you are in the path of totality, it's fine to shoot video and photos of the sun unfiltered during full totality, but then and only them," said Professor Chris Flook, a videographer and Senior Lecturer of Media at Ball State University.

"I don't shoot videos or photos of the sun on my phone without some filter. During the 2017 partial solar eclipse, I cut a pair of eclipse glasses and taped one side over my iPhone camera lens, and it worked great.

Solar Eclipse Filters

Here is a list of vetted manufacturers and companies that sell solar eclipse filters and viewers supported by the American Astronomical Society.

• Rainbow Symphony
• DayStar Filters
• Thousand Oaks Optical
• American Paper Optics
• Halo Eclipse Spectacles
• Grafix Plastics

This total solar eclipse will be the last one in the continental United States until 2044, the next one will be seen in Alaska. It's still somewhat up in the air on what weather conditions will be and what factor that will play in how much of the eclipse we see.

I guess we'll plan for the worst and hope for the best. After all, as they say in show business the show must go on.