Step by step

STEP 1

From the UK’s centre, the eclipse begins at 10:06 BST (09:06 UT), concluding at 11:47 BST (10:47 UT). Times vary slightly depending on location. The Sun is 15° up at the start, 23° by the end. Ensure your location allows the Sun to be seen by checking visibility between the stated times on a clear day prior to the eclipse.

STEP 2

The simplest way to photograph the eclipse is to create a 1–2mm pinhole in card and project sunlight through it onto another piece of white card. The ‘screen’ will need to be a metre or more away from the hole to give a decent image size and mounted vertically or at right angles to incoming sunlight to reduce distortions.

STEP 3

Hold a smartphone or camera so it can see the image created by the pinhole on the ‘screen’. For automatic cameras, the image should be bright enough for auto-focus. Take the shot (another pair of hands really helps here). To be more adventurous, make several holes in the card, spelling a word or creating a shape.

STEP 4

If using a telescope, make sure it’s fitted with a suitable certified solar filter, and cap or remove any additional finderscopes. Then, 15 or more minutes before the eclipse starts, point it at the Sun using the scope’s shadow on the ground or on a wall to refine the alignment. Important: don’t sight by looking up along the scope!

STEP 5

Adjust the camera settings so the image isn’t over-exposed. If using a white light filter and mono high-frame-rate camera, consider a green imaging filter to improve surface contrast, revealing the granular texture of the Sun’s photosphere. Focus as accurately as possible either on this texture or on the Sun’s limb.

STEP 6

The typical key times to capture are slightly after first contact, mid-eclipse (10:56 BST (09:56 UT)), and just before last contact. For H-alpha setups, examine the Sun’s northwest and northeast limbs for prominences. Northwest features will disappear first, so be vigilant from five minutes before first contact.