A total solar eclipse is coming

Are you ready?  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD [The sun, the moon, and you](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvaG93LXRvLXNhZmVseS12aWV3LXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The gear we recommend for viewing a solar eclipse, pictured on a yellow background.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvaG93LXRvLXNhZmVseS12aWV3LXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Photo: Marki Williams It’s true: You shouldn’t stare directly at the sun. But what if … something cool is happening? Solar eclipses certainly aren’t a regular occurrence here in North America. So when one is on the horizon, like [the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP4RNAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2V4cGxhaW4vMjAyNC9hc3Ryb25vbXktc3BhY2UtY2FsZW5kYXI_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2QjYXByaWwtOC1hLXRvdGFsLXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2Utd2lsbC1jcm9zcy1ub3J0aC1hbWVyaWNhLWZyb20tbWV4aWNvLXRocm91Z2gtdGV4YXMtYW5kLXRoZS1lYXN0ZXJuLXVzLWFuZC1pbnRvLWNhbmFkYVcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~), you’ll want to make sure you have the right gear to take full advantage of this astronomical event. After all, it will be the last chance that most people in the US will have to experience a total eclipse until 2044. It’s important to wear the right eye protection. We have recommendations for what to get—from paper glasses to binocular filters. [The best gear for safely viewing a solar eclipse→](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvaG93LXRvLXNhZmVseS12aWV3LXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more ›](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9hYm91dC8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [What we bring on road trips](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL3RoZS1iZXN0LWdlYXItZm9yLXlvdXItcm9hZC10cmlwLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0yOTAmZW1jPWVkaXRfd2NkXzIwMjQwMzEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNzQzNSZubD10aGUtcmVjb21tZW5kYXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD0xNjY0NDY4MjImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjA1OTAmdXNlcl9pZD1kNjZlM2Q0MzVkYjVmOWFmMDljYmI1NWUxMGRjZmVjZFcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [A car phone mount, surrounded by other car phone mounts and a set of car keys. All of this is photographed on a teal background.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL3RoZS1iZXN0LWdlYXItZm9yLXlvdXItcm9hZC10cmlwLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0yOTAmZW1jPWVkaXRfd2NkXzIwMjQwMzEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNzQzNSZubD10aGUtcmVjb21tZW5kYXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD0xNjY0NDY4MjImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjA1OTAmdXNlcl9pZD1kNjZlM2Q0MzVkYjVmOWFmMDljYmI1NWUxMGRjZmVjZFcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) Photo: Michael Hession Where will you watch the eclipse from? Many people are currently planning trips to catch the action—and [sneaking in some eclipse-related activities](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNC8wMy8wNi90cmF2ZWwvdG90YWwtc29sYXItZWNsaXBzZS0yMDI0Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlYXJjaFJlc3VsdFBvc2l0aW9uPTEmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjA1OTAmdXNlcl9pZD1kNjZlM2Q0MzVkYjVmOWFmMDljYmI1NWUxMGRjZmVjZFcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) to make a vacation out of it. All adventures, solar ones included, require a little planning. [These Wirecutter-approved road-trip essentials](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL3RoZS1iZXN0LWdlYXItZm9yLXlvdXItcm9hZC10cmlwLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0yOTAmZW1jPWVkaXRfd2NkXzIwMjQwMzEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNzQzNSZubD10aGUtcmVjb21tZW5kYXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD0xNjY0NDY4MjImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjA1OTAmdXNlcl9pZD1kNjZlM2Q0MzVkYjVmOWFmMDljYmI1NWUxMGRjZmVjZFcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) will keep your gadgets charged, phone mounted, passengers entertained, eyes shaded, and worries stowed away. [Hit the highway→](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL3RoZS1iZXN0LWdlYXItZm9yLXlvdXItcm9hZC10cmlwLz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0yOTAmZW1jPWVkaXRfd2NkXzIwMjQwMzEyJmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTExNzQzNSZubD10aGUtcmVjb21tZW5kYXRpb24mcmVnaV9pZD0xNjY0NDY4MjImc2VnbWVudF9pZD0xNjA1OTAmdXNlcl9pZD1kNjZlM2Q0MzVkYjVmOWFmMDljYmI1NWUxMGRjZmVjZFcDbnl0Qgpl787J8GWnvKz0Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MkBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAM~) [Going solar-eclipse chasing?](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci90cmF2ZWwvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K portable charger.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2JlbGtpbi1ib29zdGNoYXJnZS1wbHVzLTEway1yZXZpZXcvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [The best power bank](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2JlbGtpbi1ib29zdGNoYXJnZS1wbHVzLTEway1yZXZpZXcvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [This portable charger](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2JlbGtpbi1ib29zdGNoYXJnZS1wbHVzLTEway1yZXZpZXcvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) is small and easy to slip into a pocket. And it has enough juice to charge most phones up to three times. [Highway sign indicating meltdown ahead in half mile.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2dlYXItZm9yLXRyYXZlbGluZy13aXRoLWJhYmllcy1hbmQta2lkcy8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) [The key to traveling with little kids](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2dlYXItZm9yLXRyYXZlbGluZy13aXRoLWJhYmllcy1hbmQta2lkcy8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD) Is packing [the right stuff](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2dlYXItZm9yLXRyYXZlbGluZy13aXRoLWJhYmllcy1hbmQta2lkcy8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [A camping chair and cooler sit in front of a tent. ](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2Jlc3QtcG9ydGFibGUtb3V0ZG9vci1jaGFpcnMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [Somewhere comfy to sit](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2Jlc3QtcG9ydGFibGUtb3V0ZG9vci1jaGFpcnMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Stare at the skies from [a camping chair](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2Jlc3QtcG9ydGFibGUtb3V0ZG9vci1jaGFpcnMvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) or [a packable, puffy blanket](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9yZXZpZXdzL2Jlc3QtcHVmZnktYmxhbmtldC8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MjkwJmVtYz1lZGl0X3djZF8yMDI0MDMxMiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xMTc0MzUmbmw9dGhlLXJlY29tbWVuZGF0aW9uJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MTY2NDQ2ODIyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MTYwNTkwJnVzZXJfaWQ9ZDY2ZTNkNDM1ZGI1ZjlhZjA5Y2JiNTVlMTBkY2ZlY2RXA255dEIKZe_OyfBlp7ys9FIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTJAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAD). [Plus: You don’t need a fancy camera to photograph the eclipse](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvcGhvdG9ncmFwaC1hLXRvdGFsLXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) [A total solar eclipse.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvcGhvdG9ncmFwaC1hLXRvdGFsLXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Photo: Nina Riggio for The New York Times Photographing a total eclipse is, surprisingly, not all that hard. If you have a mirrorless or film camera, those will work great. But you can also snap decent shots using your smartphone. No matter what kind of camera you choose, though, you should prepare carefully, put a solar filter in front of your lens, and wear protection over your eyes. [What our photography experts advise→](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRn007OP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vd2lyZWN1dHRlci9ndWlkZXMvcGhvdG9ncmFwaC1hLXRvdGFsLXNvbGFyLWVjbGlwc2UvP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTI5MCZlbWM9ZWRpdF93Y2RfMjAyNDAzMTImaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTE3NDM1Jm5sPXRoZS1yZWNvbW1lbmRhdGlvbiZyZWdpX2lkPTE2NjQ0NjgyMiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTE2MDU5MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWQ2NmUzZDQzNWRiNWY5YWYwOWNiYjU1ZTEwZGNmZWNkVwNueXRCCmXvzsnwZae8rPRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkyQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAw~~) Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? 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