How to witness
the eclipse.
Vaonis Vespera and Hestia telescopes provide a safe and spectacular way to enjoy the show. You can also experience it without instruments provided that you take a few precautions.
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.
Vaonis Vespera smart telescope, with its solar filter and built-in camera, makes the observation of the sun and eclipse totally safe.
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.
Remember that you must never directly look at the sun through an optical device outside of totality phase without proper filters.
naked eye
eclipse glasses
classic telescope
vespera smart telescope
hestia telescope
smartphone
camera
Capturing
ease of use
Partial phase
Do no watch
Diamond ring
Do no watch
Baily's beads
Corona
prominences
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.
Ensure your eclipse glasses are undamaged, and 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.
Do not use regular sunglasses as their filtering power is insufficient. Eclipse glasses should be 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.
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 😉.
Observing with Vaonis smart telescopes.
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.
Vespera and Stellina simplifies the process by automatically pointing and tracking the sun, making it effortless to follow the eclipse. They come with an optional solar filter. Once the telescope is set up, you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Moreover, Vespera and Stellina's ability to capture and save images allows you to revisit and share these remarkable moments with friends and family after the event.
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 telescope.
Be aware that exposing your telescope to the direct sunlight without a filter may result in damage and could void your warranty.
The 2023 total solar eclipse captured with Vespera in Australia.
Credit : Victoria Sahami. siriustravel.com
Observing with vaonis Hestia.
If you are on the look out for an affordable yet powerful solution to observe and record the eclipse, Hestia might be your best option. 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.
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.
Image credits : Guillaume Cannat
Observing with a
classical telescope.
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.
Observation by projection
This is the only observation method that doesn't require a solar filter. It can be performed with a small classical reflector telescope or a simple cardboard box.
With an open tube reflector telescope, you project the image of the sun coming out from the eyepiece onto a white sheet. Ensure that no one is tempted to look through the eyepiece. Do not attempt this over an extended period with a closed tube refractor telescope or with cheap plastic telescope, as the internal heat build-up can damage the optics.
Using a cardboard box, drill a pinhole on one side and orient it towards the sun. The sun's image will project on the other side of the box, with the size of the box determining the size of the projected image.
Alternatively, you can aslo take advantage of the pinhole projection effect to get a funny, easy and safe way to follow the eclipse during the partial phase. Look through the foliage or use a kitchen tool with small holes.
Image credits : Guillaume Cannat
Image credits : Guillaume Cannat
Smartphones and regular cameras
When capturing images of the eclipse, the sensor ensures safety for observation. However, to avoid sensor damage, it's advisable to use a filter if pointing your camera at the sun for more than a few seconds (outside of totality). Without a filter, images will be overexposed during the partial phase. Smartphones will only capture a small image of the eclipse, while DSLR cameras require a telephoto lens of at least 200 mm to capture a decent-sized solar disk.
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