2024 Solar Eclipse
The 2024 total solar eclipse inspired a wave of commemorative merchandise and specialized gear for those capturing the event. Among the most popular items were t-shirts, ranging from soft cotton styles to moisture-wicking fabrics, often adorned with eclipse paths across North America or dramatic artwork featuring Baily’s Beads and the solar corona. Many designs were location-specific, commemorating cities in the path of totality with coordinates and dates. Some shirts even featured glow-in-the-dark ink, revealing eclipse phases in the dark. Mugs were another favorite souvenir, especially those featuring time-lapse artwork of the eclipse or heat-reactive designs that transformed when filled with hot liquid. Many featured artistic renderings of the sun’s corona or marked the precise time and location of totality. Posters and prints were widely produced as well, ranging from high-resolution composite images capturing the eclipse sequence to artistic interpretations of the eclipse path laid over star maps. To capture the event, photographers relied on DSLR and mirrorless cameras equipped with telephoto lenses, often using solar filters to safely shoot the sun before and after totality. Tracking mounts helped keep the sun centered for longer exposures, especially during the fleeting moments of totality when the corona becomes visible. Heavy-duty tripods provided stability in windy or crowded conditions, and remote triggers allowed photographers to capture crisp, shake-free images. Some used telescopes with solar filters and attached cameras to photograph solar prominences and surface details. Smartphone photographers participated too, using clip-on filters or telescope adapters to take surprisingly detailed shots of the eclipse. The 2024 eclipse proved to be not only a stunning celestial event but also a catalyst for creativity, craftsmanship, and shared human experience.