Smartphone Partial Eclipse Combined

Honorable mention in the 2023 IAU OAE Astrophotography Contest, category Still images with smartphones-mobile devices: Smartphone Partial Eclipse Combined, by Douglas Duncan.

In 2021, Maine, USA, bore witness to a captivating partial solar eclipse, an astronomical spectacle where the Moon passes between the 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 crucial to note that observing a solar eclipse should only be done with proper eye protection to avoid eye damage caused by direct Sunlight exposure. During a solar eclipse, the Moon reaches a point in its orbit where it is between the 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. 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.

Credit: Douglas Duncan/IAU OAE (CC BY 4.0)