Dos and don'ts for watching today's eclipse

Get your camera gear and protective filters ready: a partial solar eclipse is due Thursday. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. It's a spectacular sight, and an even better photo opportunity. Here are some tips and pointers to keep in mind when photographing the solar eclipse.

DO

• Use a solar filter to protect your DSLR camera sensor

• Use protective eyewear, such as welder's glasses

• Use a tripod or mount to avoid a blurry photo

• Manually focus your camera

• Set your camera settings before the solar eclipse — test those settings on a non-eclipse day

• Use a high ISO setting and high resolution — to keep exposures very short and prevent blurring from vibrations

DON'T

• Use a smartphone

• Look directly at the sun with your camera/eyes unless both are protected

• Forget to share your solar eclipse photos at yourtake.usatoday.com, and tell us where the photo was taken

Have other solar eclipse photo tips that you'd like to share? Tweet us @YourTake or upload them us here.

WHEN TO WATCH

New York City: The eclipse starts at 5:49 p.m. ET. The eclipse will still be going on as the sun sets at 6:03 p.m. ET.

Washington: The eclipse starts at 5:52 p.m. ET. The eclipse will still be going on as the sun sets at 6:17 p.m. ET.

Chicago: The eclipse starts at 4:36 p.m. CT. The eclipse will be at its maximum at 5:43 p.m. CT and the sun will set while still in eclipse.

Denver: The eclipse starts at 3:18 p.m. MT. The eclipse will be at its maximum at 4:35 p.m. MT and will end at 5:44 p.m. MDT.

Los Angeles: The eclipse will start at 2:08 p.m. PT. The eclipse will be at its maximum at 3:28 p.m. and will end at 4:40 p.m. PT.

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Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY