Long Summary
Lens flares are optical phenomena that occur when bright light, such as the sun, interacts with the multiple glass elements of a camera lens in unintended ways. During a solar eclipse, these flares can appear as ghostly images of the eclipse floating in the sky, often confusing viewers. The flares arise because while most light passes correctly through the lens, a small percentage reflects, scatters, or diffracts within the lens elements, creating secondary images or bright artifacts.
Camera lenses are composed of several lens elements designed to direct light precisely onto the camera sensor. However, due to physical properties of glass such as reflection and absorption, no lens is perfect, and some stray light can bounce around inside the lens housing. This stray light causes various forms of lens flares, including rings, discs, rays, and starbursts, which vary depending on lens design, coatings, aperture, zoom, and the angle and brightness of incoming light.
While most lens flares are too faint to notice under normal lighting conditions, the intense brightness of the sun means even a small fraction of stray light can be visible in photos. During an eclipse, lens flares can uniquely mimic the shape of the eclipsed sun itself, sometimes appearing as a mirrored image of the crescent or annular shape, providing a rare glimpse of the sun’s obscured form without specialized solar filters. This phenomenon occurs because some light inside the lens creates a reduced, reflected image of the sun on the sensor.
The text also clarifies the difference between actual direct images of the eclipse and lens flares, noting that flares originate inside the lens and can be blocked by physical obstructions, while a direct image of the eclipse cannot. The explanation underscores how these lens imperfections, often considered defects, can indirectly allow photographers to capture images of the sun’s eclipse safely, albeit unintentionally. Ultimately, the lens flares during an eclipse offer insight both into the physics of light behavior inside complex optical systems and opportunities for creative photography.
Additionally, the author mentions using educational courses on science and data visualization to further understand and communicate complex scientific phenomena effectively. These resources provide valuable knowledge on topics like visualizing data and how AI models operate, encouraging deeper engagement with science and technology.
