People across the North East hoping to snap photos of tonight’s solar eclipse are being warned that doing so could damage their camera lens.
With thousands expected to look skyward for the rare event, guidance from NASA on how to capture a solar eclipse has resurfaced.
People are now being urged to take precautions not only to protect their eyes, but also to protect their equipment.
The space agency says looking directly at the Sun is dangerous and warns that cameras, including those on smartphones, should also be protected.
NASA advises: "Looking directly at the Sun is dangerous to your eyes and your camera.
"To take images when the Sun is partially eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes."
Experts are warning people not to look at the eclipse directly.
(Image: Submitted)
The warning comes as many people prepare to capture images and videos of the eclipse to share on social media.
Despite the safety concerns, NASA says people do not need expensive equipment to take memorable eclipse photographs.
The agency says smartphones can still be used to capture the event, while those without specialist zoom lenses may be better focusing on wider landscape shots showing the unusual lighting conditions created by the eclipse.
NASA also recommends using a tripod to keep images steady in the lower light conditions and practising with camera settings beforehand.
Photographers are also being encouraged to look beyond the Sun itself.
NASA photographer Bill Ingalls said some of the most memorable photographs may not be of the eclipse itself but of the people watching it.
"The real pictures are going to be of the people around you pointing, gawking, and watching it," he said.
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"Those are going to be some great moments to capture to show the emotion of the whole thing."
NASA is also reminding people not to spend the entire event behind a camera screen.
While photographs can provide lasting memories, people should take time to experience the eclipse themselves.