Representing a collaboration among Google, UC Berkeley, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and others, the Eclipse Megamovie Project will use photographs of the upcoming August 21st total solar eclipse to build a movie of the entire eclipse from coast to coast. Skilled photographers are needed to help create the movie as well as support solar science research. For more on the goals of the project, see UC Berkeley’s official press release: http://news.berkeley.edu/2017/02/21/megamovie-project-to-crowdsource-images-of-august-solar-eclipse/

Our aim is to recruit over 1,000 photographers who will be on the path of totality on August 21, 2017. Official Photo Team members receive training and submit a practice image before the eclipse. Once you qualify, you will receive a pin to designate your status as an official photographer for the project. Your name will also be included in the credits of the final Eclipse Megamovie. If you want to participate as an official Photo Team member, please visit the project website at https://eclipsemega.movie and SIGN IN via the 5-step process below. For those looking to use their smartphones or other devices to image the total eclipse, please consider using the Eclipse Megamovie Mobile app available at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ideum.com.megamovie

HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE MEGAMOVIE PHOTO TEAM
1. Click on "Sign In" in the upper right corner and sign in with a Google associated email address
2. Click on “CREATE ACCOUNT”
3. Indicate by clicking on the location map provided precisely where you plan to view and take images of the eclipse, then click “Save”
4. Click on the type of camera or device you plan to take images of the eclipse with, then click “Save”
5. Lastly but most important of all, if you meet the proper Location and Equipment criteria*, you can now click on the “Apply” button to fill out an application to be a member of the official Megamovie Photo Team. Once you apply, our partners at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific will be in touch with you and continue to engage you in preparing for the eclipse.

We look forward to working with you on this history-making project! If you have questions, please address them to eclipse-megamovie-questions@googlegroups.com and we’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible. For continuous updates on the project, please join our Google Group at https://groups.google.com/a/lists.berkeley.edu/group/eclipse/.

*Basic equipment and skills necessary for participating in the Eclipse Megamovie Project as an official Photo Team member:
• Camera: interchangeable lens digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
• Telephoto or zoom lens: minimum focal length of 300mm
• A stable and level tripod
• Ability to identify the GPS coordinates and time to the nearest second

THOSE USING SMARTPHONES AND OTHER DEVICES SHOULD DOWNLOAD THE ECLIPSE MEGAMOVIE MOBILE APP AT https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ideum.com.megamovie