Solar Eclipse Photo Challenge

As you may already know tomorrow August 21, 2017 will be the first total eclipse in the contenental U.S. in 38 years! The center line will cross through 12 states. The eclipse will span across the US from Oregon down through South Carolina. 

It will last a maximum of 2 minutes and 40.2 seconds. To experience that length, you’ll need to be slightly south of Carbondale, Illinois, in Giant City State Park. The center line’s last contact with the U.S. occurs at the Atlantic Ocean’s edge just southeast of Key Bay, South Carolina.  As you view the beginning through a safe solar filter, the universe will set your mind at ease when you see the Moon take the first notch out of the Sun’s disk. Around the three-quarters mark, you’ll start to notice that shadows are getting sharper. The reason is that the Sun’s disk is shrinking, literally approaching a point, and a smaller light source produces better-defined shadows. At about 85 percent coverage, someone you’re with will see Venus 34° west-northwest of the Sun. If any trees live at your site, you may see their leaves act like pinhole cameras as hundreds of crescent Suns appear in their shadows.

Our chalenge to you while being safe is to take a picture with your MINI and the Solar Eclipse. Send all pictures to .

Please remember safety first! Read the safety tip below and click on the link to learn tips from NASA for photographing the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017.

To take images as the Sun is being eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of eclipse glasses to protect your own eyes. However, at totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, make sure to remove the filter so you can see the Sun’s outer atmosphere — the corona.

Having a few other pieces of equipment can also come in handy during the eclipse. Using a tripod can help you stabilize the camera and avoid taking blurry images during the low lighting. Additionally, using a delayed shutter release timer will allow you to snap shots without jiggling the camera.

5 Tips from NASA