... the Sun.
Are you living in Arctic Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Central Russia, China or Mongolia?
If yes, then you have a great chance to follow the total eclipse of the Sun on August 1st, 2008!
All others of us, in northeastern North America, Europe and Asia can admire this wonder only partially.
So, what to do to be prepared?
1. Check times and locations
If you are living some kilometers away from eclipse path, make a jaunt with friends or family to see the full performance.
2. Prepare your camera
Use the longest telephoto lens you have, find or rent a tele-converter. If you can achieve 1000 mm focal length, it's good. 2000 mm would be better :). Do some test photosessions. Don't forget your tripod! A mylar or glass solar filter must be used on the lens throughout the partial phases of eclipse for both photography and safe viewing. But during the total phase, all solar filters must be removed from camera.
You can find additional great tips under the link Solar Eclipse Photography at the end of article.
3. Prepare yourself
DON'T EVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN WITHOUT A PROTECTION!! This can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Only during the few brief seconds or minutes of a total solar eclipse, Sun can be viewed with naked eye. But do not attempt to observe the partial or annular phases of any eclipse with the naked eye. Be cautious, even when 99% of the Sun's surface is obscured during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the remaining photospheric crescent is intensely bright and cannot be viewed safely without eye protection.
Sunglasses don't protect your eyes during partial phases of eclipse.
Read the link above about how to protect your eyes and camera censor during eclipse photography.
Hope this gonna be a spectacular lightshow, which will be remembered for a long time.
Observing Solar Eclipses Safely
NASA - Total Solar Eclipse of 2008 August 01
Solar Eclipse Photography
Eclipse Filters
Exploratorium: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 Live from China
