The eclipse at a glance

The eclipse map

What to expect

How to observe

The science behind

Your eclipse dashboard

The eclipse at a glance

The eclipse map

What to expect

How to observe

The science behind

Your eclipse dashboard

The eclipse at a glance

The eclipse map

What to expect

How to observe

The science behind

Your eclipse dashboard

How to
witness the eclipse

Everything you need to know to safely enjoy the eclipse whether observing with a smart telescope, the naked eye, or a traditional telescope.

Safely observe the eclipse

The light coming from the sun is so intense that it can ignite a fire when concentrated with a magnifying glass.

To observe it safely, whether through an astronomical instrument, binoculars, or even with the naked eye, it is essential to significantly reduce its brightness using a specific filter to avoid permanant eye damage . Even when the sun is obscured by 95%, its brightness remains too intense. During a total eclipse, true darkness only descends when the sun is completely hidden.

Observing with a smart telescope, camera, or another electronic device is obviously safe for our eyes since the sun is viewed through a screen. However, it is crucial to protect the device's sensor, so a filter is also necessary in this case.

Do not directly observe the sun through an optical instrument without proper protection during the partial phase of an eclipse or when there is no eclipse.

It is only safe to observe the sun without protection during a total eclipse when the moon fully obstructs the direct sunlight.

Observe the partial phase of a solar eclipse with certified eclipse glasses

To observe the eclipse directly with your eyes, use certified eclipse glasses

a black and white photo of a wall

With a telescope or any optical device, use a full aperture certified filter

The best way to enjoy the eclipse

There are different ways to observe and capture the eclipse. The following chart compares how you will be able to witness each aspect of the eclipse, depending of the observation method you are using.

capturing

ease of use

partial phase

diamond ring

Baily's beads

corona

prominences

naked eye

eclipse glasses

traditional telescope

Vaonis smart telescope

Hestia phone scope

smartphone

camera

capturing

ease of use

partial phase

diamond ring

Baily's beads

corona

prominences

naked eye

eclipse glasses

traditional telescope

Vaonis smart telescope

Hestia phone scope

smartphone

camera

Observe the partial phase of a solar eclipse with certified eclipse glasses

Observing with the naked eye and eclipse glasses

Eclipse glasses are an affordable way to safely observe the sun and a solar eclipse. Although the view may not be the most spectacular (as there's no magnification), these glasses allow you to witness the moon progressively covering the sun's disc. Even if you plan to observe the event with a telescope and a proper filter, having eclipse glasses offers an alternative perspective and ensures you won't miss capturing that memorable look you'll have on your selfies 😉.

Eclipse glasses are an affordable way to safely observe the sun and a solar eclipse. Although the view may not be the most spectacular (as there's no magnification), these glasses allow you to witness the moon progressively covering the sun's disc. Even if you plan to observe the event with a telescope and a proper filter, having eclipse glasses offers an alternative perspective and ensures you won't miss capturing that memorable look you'll have on your selfies 😉.

Your eclipse glasses

Ensure your eclipse glasses are undamaged. Do not observe the eclipse with damage eclipse glasses. Consider having spare ones with you in case of scratches. During totality, take them off (it is entirely safe at this moment) to fully appreciate the main event: the sun's corona. You won't see anything if you keep them on. Remember to put your glasses back on as soon as totality ends. Use glasses that are CE certified and comply with the ISO 12312-2 norm. Be cautious, as unscrupulous companies might attempt to sell glasses that do not meet these standards.

Your eclipse glasses

Ensure your eclipse glasses are undamaged. Do not observe the eclipse with damage eclipse glasses. Consider having spare ones with you in case of scratches. During totality, take them off (it is entirely safe at this moment) to fully appreciate the main event: the sun's corona. You won't see anything if you keep them on. Remember to put your glasses back on as soon as totality ends. Use glasses that are CE certified and comply with the ISO 12312-2 norm. Be cautious, as unscrupulous companies might attempt to sell glasses that do not meet these standards.

Do not use regular sun glasses

Their filtering performance is insufficient. Do not use homemade alternatives or improvised solutions unless you have the required experience and expertise.

Do not use regular sun glasses

Their filtering performance is insufficient. Do not use homemade alternatives or improvised solutions unless you have the required experience and expertise.

observing the sun and solar eclipses with Vaonis Vespera smart telescope

Observing with a smart telescope

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Smart telescope: the safest option

Observing the eclipse with a smart telescope that transmits light through a sensor (no eyepiece) is the safest option since your eyes are not directly exposed to the sun's light. However, you'll need a solar filter to protect the sensor and reduce the sun's luminosity for correct exposure.

Smart telescope: the safest option

Observing the eclipse with a smart telescope that transmits light through a sensor (no eyepiece) is the safest option since your eyes are not directly exposed to the sun's light. However, you'll need a solar filter to protect the sensor and reduce the sun's luminosity for correct exposure.

The easiest way to capture the eclipse

A smart telescope simplifies the process by automatically pointing and tracking the sun, making it effortless to follow the eclipse. They can beequiped with an solar filter. Once the telescope is set up, you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Moreover, they have the ability to capture and save images allows you to revisit and share these remarkable moments with friends and family after the event.

The easiest way to capture the eclipse

A smart telescope simplifies the process by automatically pointing and tracking the sun, making it effortless to follow the eclipse. They can beequiped with an solar filter. Once the telescope is set up, you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Moreover, they have the ability to capture and save images allows you to revisit and share these remarkable moments with friends and family after the event.

Use a certified solar filter

Even if your eyes are protected, a solar filter is still required during the partial phases of an eclipse to prevent the sensor from overheating and becoming damaged. During totality, feel free to remove the filter and enjoy observing and capturing the corona and prominences. However, make sure to promptly put the filter back on as soon as the totality ends

The 2024 total solar eclipse captured with Vaonis Vespera smart telescope showing Baily's beads and prominences

total solar eclipse captures with Vaonis Vespera smart telescope

Use a certified solar filter

Even if your eyes are protected, a solar filter is still required during the partial phases of an eclipse to prevent the sensor from overheating and becoming damaged. During totality, feel free to remove the filter and enjoy observing and capturing the corona and prominences. However, make sure to promptly put the filter back on as soon as the totality ends

The 2024 total solar eclipse captured with Vaonis Vespera smart telescope showing Baily's beads and prominences

total solar eclipse captures with Vaonis Vespera smart telescope
Observing the sun and solar eclipses with Vaonis Hestia, the smartphone telescope

Observing with Vaonis Hestia: the smartphone telescope

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The affordable yet powerful solution

Hestia is a smartphone-based telescope that harnesses the power of your smartphone camera to turn it into a solar (and lunar) telescope. Attempting to capture pictures of the eclipse with your smartphone alone may be deceptive due to the lack of magnification power and sharpness. This is where Hestia can help, allowing you to capture even the faintest extensions of the solar corona.

The affordable yet powerful solution

Hestia is a smartphone-based telescope that harnesses the power of your smartphone camera to turn it into a solar (and lunar) telescope. Attempting to capture pictures of the eclipse with your smartphone alone may be deceptive due to the lack of magnification power and sharpness. This is where Hestia can help, allowing you to capture even the faintest extensions of the solar corona.

Hestia is equiped with a solar filter

During totality, feel free to remove the filter and enjoy observing and capturing the corona and prominences. However, make sure to promptly put the filter back on as soon as the totality ends to safeguard your smartphone camera.

The 2024 total solar eclipse captured with Hestia

total solar eclipse captures with Vaonis Hestia smartphone telescope

Hestia is equiped with a solar filter

During totality, feel free to remove the filter and enjoy observing and capturing the corona and prominences. However, make sure to promptly put the filter back on as soon as the totality ends to safeguard your smartphone camera.

The 2024 total solar eclipse captured with Hestia

total solar eclipse captures with Vaonis Hestia smartphone telescope
observing the sun and solar eclipses with a regular telescope

Observing the eclipse with a regular telescope

Use a proper filter

With a classical telescope, it is more important than ever to use a proper filter, as your eyes are directly exposed to light coming from the sun, which is demultiplicated by the telescope aperture. The filter must be placed in front of the telescope optical tube and cover the entire aperture. Forget those tiny filters that are supposed to be screwed onto the eyepiece, as they are at the focal point where the heat is concentrated. They can suddenly crack.

Use a proper filter

With a classical telescope, it is more important than ever to use a proper filter, as your eyes are directly exposed to light coming from the sun, which is demultiplicated by the telescope aperture. The filter must be placed in front of the telescope optical tube and cover the entire aperture. Forget those tiny filters that are supposed to be screwed onto the eyepiece, as they are at the focal point where the heat is concentrated. They can suddenly crack.

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