On Wednesday, August 12, millions will be able to witness a partial or total solar eclipse, when the moon blocks the sun's disk in a rare astronomical spectacle.
While many will try to capture images of this phenomenon with their phones or cameras, experts have warned that pointing the lens directly at the sun, even if it is partially covered, could cause permanent damage to the devices.
Its temperature may rise excessively or its internal sensors may burn out, resulting in dead pixels that cannot be repaired.
NASA had warned before the 2024 eclipse that America witnessed that the phone's sensor is as susceptible to damage as any camera if pointed at the sun, and recommended placing eclipse glasses in front of the phone's lens when taking pictures at any time except during a total eclipse.
The agency also stressed the need to avoid looking at the eclipse through a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars, even while wearing eclipse glasses, because the concentrated rays will burn the filter and cause serious eye damage. It explained that when using cameras or binoculars equipped with suitable solar filters, there is no need to wear glasses because the filters perform the same function of protection.
NASA confirmed that the only safe time to view the eclipse without protection is during totality, when the moon completely covers the sun. This moment lasts between one and three minutes and will only be visible to those within the path of totality in Iceland or Spain. This eclipse, which begins near the North Pole and then moves southward, will be the first total eclipse visible in Spain in over a century.
The path of totality will pass through a defined area that includes parts of Russia, Greenland, Iceland , and Spain , as well as a very small geographical area in the far northeast of Portugal.
In contrast, the partial eclipse will extend to vast areas around the world with varying degrees of obscuration, with the continent of Europe enjoying a very clear view including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Balkan countries.
The Arab world also joins in this event through the countries of North Africa, where the eclipse will be observed partially and at high percentages before sunset in Algeria, Morocco , Tunisia , and Mauritania , and at a very low percentage in Libya.
