Can a solar eclipse damage your cell phone? What do you need to know

Next Monday, April 8, 2024, an astronomical phenomenon will catch the attention of millions of people in North America.

AND solar eclipsein its splendor it promises to darken the skies of countries like Canada, the United States and Mexicooffering a natural spectacle like no other.

With this event coming soon, fans and the curious are already starting to prepare their equipment and viewing strategies.

However, amid the anticipation, a technological question arises: It is possible that direct exposure solar eclipse cause damage to cell phones used to capture the moment?

According to what technology and astronomy experts described to Wired, the presence of a solar eclipse does not directly affect the operation of mobile devices.

This means that if the phone fails during or after this phenomenon, the eclipse itself is unlikely to be the cause. These anomalies in cell phone traffic are to be attributed to various factors and not an impending astronomical event.

However, A cautionary flag has been raised about one particular use of smartphones during the eclipse: photography.

Capturing this celestial event with your phone camera can have unintended consequences. Angela Speack, who co-chairs the Solar Eclipse Task Force at the American Astronomical Society, shared a key insight on this topic.

The specialist specified that the intense solar radiation that characterizes the eclipse has the potential to irreversibly damage the pixels of the sensors of the cameras of mobile devices.

This results in significant damage to the phone’s ability to capture images with the expected sharpness and quality.

Due to the risk of damaging your mobile phone camera when trying to photograph the eclipse, the use of a special UV filter is highly recommended. This measure will protect the device from the adverse effects of direct sunlight.

For those without access to these filters, an alternative is to use external physical barriers, such as welding masks, placed in front of the camera lens.

This improvised solution can be an effective way to protect the integrity of the phone without having to give up capturing this natural spectacle.

As an event of astronomical magnitude such as a solar eclipse approaches, there are other technological precautions to consider in addition to concerns about protecting mobile device cameras. Below are some of these additional tips:

• Protection of additional optical devices: If the user plans to use conventional digital cameras, binoculars or binoculars to observe or capture the eclipse, it is essential to equip these devices with appropriate solar filters. As with smartphones, intense sunlight can damage the internal sensors of these tools..
• Battery fully charged: Before the eclipse, it is essential to ensure that all devices are fully charged. These events may take longer than expectedespecially if you want to capture the different phases of the eclipse.

• Using tripods or stable supports: To avoid blurred or blurred images, especially when using digital zoom for close-up shots, using a tripod or stable device support can be crucial.
• Manual camera settings: In case the device allows manual adjustments, it is recommended that the correct exposure and focus settings may affect the quality of the captured images. Using a lower exposure and manual focus to infinity can help better capture the details of the eclipse.
• Avoid continuous use during the eclipse: While it’s tempting to constantly use your device to take pictures or record, taking breaks allows you to not only save battery, but also enjoy the event, with appropriate eye protection of course.

Taking these technological precautions into account can help you enjoy the solar eclipse safely and effectively, ensuring both the protection of your devices and optimizing the visual and captured experience of the event.