Solar Snap is a device-app combo designed to help protect your eyes and camera lens during a solar eclipse. Founded by Douglas Duncan, a former Hubble Space Telescope astronomer, Solar Snap comes with a camera filter that attaches to your phone and solar eclipse glasses for eye protection. The free Solar Snap Eclipse app allows you to zoom in on the eclipse, adjust camera settings, and capture photos during the event. Duncan’s invention aims to help people take better photos of eclipses using just their phone’s camera.
The Solar Snap app is specifically designed for capturing photos during solar eclipses, making it particularly useful for the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8. The Great American Eclipse is expected to pass over North America, providing a rare opportunity for observers to witness this natural phenomenon. Solar eclipses can be dangerous to view without proper eye protection, which is where Solar Snap comes in with filters for both the camera and eyes. The app’s settings are optimized for image quality, promising beautiful views of the eclipse.
The Solar Snap kit is priced at $19 and includes phone filters, protective eyewear, and Velcro sets for attaching the filter to your phone. With the app’s automation feature, you can set up your phone on a tripod, remove the filter during totality, and capture photos automatically while enjoying the eclipse. Additionally, Solar Snap provides general tips for eclipse photography, such as practicing your setup beforehand, using a certified solar filter, and manually adjusting focus and exposure on your phone camera.
For those planning to photograph the April 8 eclipse, it’s recommended to practice your setup and ensure you have the necessary accessories in advance. Whether using a DSLR camera or a smartphone, a certified solar filter is essential for protecting your eyes and capturing clear images of the eclipse. While DSLR cameras are preferred for eclipse photography, smartphone photographers can enhance their photos with an inexpensive zoom lens that clips onto the camera. However, it’s important to not get too caught up in taking photos and remember to enjoy the eclipse experience as it happens.
Overall, Solar Snap offers a convenient solution for capturing photos during solar eclipses while ensuring eye safety with its protective filters. By combining a camera filter attachment, solar eclipse glasses, and a user-friendly app, Solar Snap aims to enhance the eclipse viewing and photography experience for enthusiasts. With the upcoming total solar eclipse on the horizon, Solar Snap provides a practical and innovative approach to documenting this rare celestial event through your smartphone camera.
