[Fox News] Solar eclipse 2024: Tips to capture the perfect shot of the rare cosmic event
Monday’s total solar eclipse might become one of the most filmed and photographed events of the year.
As the moon passes in front of the sun, plunging a swath of North America into a few minutes of darkness, throngs will take pictures or videos of the moment.
But powerful solar rays and drastic changes in lighting pose unique challenges in catching that perfect image.
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024: WHERE AND HOW TO VIEW THE RARE ORBIT HITTING THE US
Here are some pointers on how to get the best shot.
First, get in the right position. You’ll want to be as close as possible to the path of totality, which passes over Mexico’s Pacific coast and ends in eastern Canada. Fifteen U.S. states get to see the full eclipse.
There are online maps to check if you’ll be anywhere near the path. NASA’s map shows how many minutes of totality there will be if you’re inside the path depending on location, and how much of a partial eclipse you’ll see if you’re outside of it.
For spectators in Mexico and Canada, eclipse expert Xavier Jubier’s website overlays the eclipse’s path on Google Maps, which allows zooming into street level detail.
With so many factors in play including cloud cover and the sun’s position in the sky, planning is key to getting the best image.
There are a host of smartphone apps for eclipse chasers. The American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of useful ones for both iOS and Android devices, including its own Totality app that shows your location on a map of the totality path.
The Solar Eclipse Timer uses your phone’s GPS to play an audio countdown to the moment of totality and highlights key moments. The app’s maker advises using a separate phone for taking photos.
Eclipse Calculator 2 for Android devices uses the phone’s camera to depict how the event will look in the sky from your position, using lines overlaid on top of the camera image. For iPhone users, apps like Sky Guide and SkySafari have eclipse simulators. There are other iOS apps that use augmented reality to simulate the eclipse, but they’re pricier and not yet on the society’s list.
Digital SLR cameras will produce the best photos. Their manual exposure controls and ability to add zoom lenses and accessories like remote shutter buttons will let you make great pictures.
Associated Press chief photographer Julio Cortez advises using a smaller aperture — f11 or f17 — to keep the focus “a little bit sharper.” When he shot the 2017 total solar eclipse, he used an ISO setting of 1250 and 1/500 shutter speed.
The rest of us have our smartphones.
NASA published detailed guidelines for smartphone eclipse photography in 2017 with the caveat that “smartphones were never designed to do sun and moon photography.” That’s because the wide-angle lenses on most devices won’t let you capture close-up detail. But new phones released since then come with sophisticated sensors, multiple lenses and image stabilization software that give a better chance.
Some experts suggest HDR, or High Dynamic Range, mode, which takes a series of pictures at different light levels and then blends them into a single shot — ideal for combining an eclipse’s very dark and very bright areas.
But don’t use flash. You can spoil the moment by ruining the vision of those around you whose eyes have adapted to darkness.
The American Astronomical Society advises using a solar filter to protect cameras against intense sunlight and heat.
You can buy a filter that screws onto DSLR lenses, but it will take time to remove when totality happens. Cortez made his own with cardboard, tinted film and fasteners that he can quickly rip off.
For smartphones, you can use a spare pair of eclipse glasses and hold it over the lens, or buy a smartphone filter. There’s no international standard, but the society’s website has a list of models it considers safe. Make sure macro mode is not on.
If you plan to shoot for an extended time, use a tripod. To line up his camera after mounting it on a tripod, Cortez uses a solar finder, which helps locate the sun without damaging your eyes or equipment.
Cortez also advises bringing a white towel to cover up your gear after setting up to keep it from overheating as you wait for the big moment.
It’s very tempting to make a TikTok or Instagram-friendly eclipse video. Perhaps you want to selfie video, narrating into the camera while the cosmic ballet between sun and moon plays out over your shoulder.
Be careful: While you might think your vision isn’t at risk because you’re not looking at the sun, your phone’s screen could reflect harmful ultraviolet light, eye experts have warned.
And if you’re using a solar filter on the selfie camera, it will turn the picture dark and you won’t show up.
[Fox News] How to recover a purchased app you accidentally deleted from your Android
Have you ever switched to a new Android device or reinstalled an app, only to realize that your previously purchased apps and in-app items are missing?
Well, we’re here to walk you through the steps to restore those valuable apps and in-app purchases you made in the past.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
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Restoring your apps and in-app purchases is straightforward and ensures that you don’t lose access to valuable content. Remember to keep your Google account consistent across devices to maintain a seamless experience. So, the next time you switch phones or reinstall an app, follow these steps, and you’ll have your favorite apps and in-app goodies back in no time.
What other challenges have you faced when moving your apps and data to a new device? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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[Fox News] Netherlands hyperloop aims to improve transportation of people and freight with new technology
A quarter-mile white steel tube running alongside a railway line in the windswept northern Netherlands could usher in a new era in the transportation of people and freight.
The tube is the heart of the new European Hyperloop Center that opens Tuesday and will be a proving ground in coming years for developers of the evolving technology.
Hyperloop, once trumpeted by Elon Musk, involves capsules floating on magnetic fields zipping at speeds of around 435 mph through low-pressure tubes. Its advocates tout it as far more efficient than short haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks.
But since Musk unveiled the concept that he said could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes, it has progressed at a much slower pace from the drawing board toward the real world.
“I expect by 2030 you will have the first hyperloop route, maybe five kilometers (three miles) in which people will actually be transporting passengers,” said the center’s director, Sascha Lamme. “Actually there’s already preparations being done for such routes in for example Italy or India.”
Not everybody is as optimistic about Hyperloop’s future.
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“This is just another example of policy makers chasing a shiny object when basic investment in infrastructure is needed,” Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, said in comments emailed to The Associated Press.
“It costs too much to build,” he added.
Lamme said skeptics should come and take a look for themselves.
“We built the European Hyperloop Center and from what we have built, we know that we can be competitive with high-speed rail,” he said. “And then we have not even included all the cost optimizations that we can do in the coming decade to reduce that even further.”
The test center’s tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly eight feet in diameter. A vacuum pump in a steel container next to the tube sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at such high speeds.
A test capsule built by Dutch hyperloop pioneer Hardt Hyperloop will take part next month in the first tests at the center that is funded by private investment as well as contributions from the provincial government, the Dutch national government and European Commission.
A unique feature of the Veendam tube is that it has a switch — where it splits into two separate tubes, a piece of infrastructure that will be critical to real-life applications.
“Lane switching is very important for hyperloop, because it allows vehicles to travel from any origin to any destination,” said Marinus van der Meijs, Hardt’s technology and engineering director. “So it really creates a network effect where you sort of have a highway of tubes and vehicles can take an on and offramp or they can take a lane switch to go to a different part of Europe or to a different destination.”
While testing continues in Veendam, hyperloop developers hope that destinations for their technology are forthcoming.
“Really the main challenge is finding government commitments to build routes and, on the other hand, finding new funding to realize the necessary test facility and technology demonstration that you need to do to make this happen,” Lamme said.
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[Fox News] AT&T data leak from 73 million customers; what you need to do next
Millions of AT&T customers could be at risk of having their data exposed after the carrier confirmed user data was published on the dark web.
More than 73 million current and former customers now have information like their Social Security number, address and more out in the open.
According to AT&T, the leak was published two weeks ago. So far, all the data is from 2019 or earlier. It includes information from 7.6 million current users and a whopping 65.4 million former customers. AT&T is investigating and says it’s still unclear if the data comes from the company or a third party.
According to the company’s website, “The information varied by customer and account but may have included full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, social security number, date of birth, AT&T account number, and passcode.”
The company is contacting current and former customers whose data has been leaked and resetting passwords for current users. Customers affected by this security breach can expect to receive a direct communication from AT&T via email or letter regarding the incident.
AT&T REVEALS DATA BREACH AFFECTING 9 MILLION WIRELESS ACCOUNTS
In addition to these notifications, AT&T has already reset the passcodes for current users.
AT&T discovered the information in a specific data set on the dark web. The company is still combing through the set but released this statement:
“AT&T has launched a robust investigation supported by internal and external cybersecurity experts. Based on our preliminary analysis, the data set appears to be from 2019 or earlier, impacting approximately 7.6 million current AT&T account holders and approximately 65.4 million former account holders. Currently, AT&T does not have evidence of unauthorized access to its systems resulting in exfiltration of the data set. We encourage current and former customers with questions to visit www.att.com/accountsafety for more information.”
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You can go to haveibeenpwned.com to check if your information was sold on the dark web. Just enter your email address into the search bar. The website will search to see your data and display if there were data breaches associated with your email address on various sites. You may have even received an email from the website already saying that some of your data was stolen.
So, what do you do if you are notified or discover that your info is on the haveibeenpwned.com site? You should take immediate action to minimize the damage. Here are some steps that you can follow:
If hackers have recorded your passwords, they could access your online accounts and steal your data or money. ON ANOTHER DEVICE (i.e., your laptop or desktop), you should change your passwords for all your important accounts, such as email, banking, social media, etc. You want to do this on another device so the hacker isn’t’ recording you setting up your new password on your hacked device. And you should also use strong and unique passwords that are hard to guess or crack. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
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You’ll want to activate two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
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You should check your online accounts and transactions regularly for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, immediately report it to the service provider or authorities. You should also review your credit reports and scores to see if there are any signs of identity theft or fraud.
If hackers have obtained your bank or credit card information, they could use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should inform your bank and credit card companies of the situation. They can help you freeze or cancel your cards, dispute any fraudulent charges and issue new cards for you.
You should also contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit file. This will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification. You can even freeze your credit, if need be.
Identity Theft protection companies can monitor personal information like your home title, Social Security Number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
If hackers have accessed your email or social media accounts, they could use them to send spam or phishing messages to your contacts. They could also impersonate you and ask for money or personal information. You should alert your contacts and warn them not to open or respond to any messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual.
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It’s important to note that this is still a fluid situation. AT&T has said it is actively investigating and gathering information. However, we can take away some concrete lessons. You should do everything you can to lock up your data. That means using unique passwords, password managers and two-factor authentication to stay safe. Some of these lessons are simple, too, like never reusing passwords.
This also shows that your data can end up in some pretty scary places. The dark web is the internet’s Wild West, and you never know who could be accessing your information.
Are you worried about your information being exposed on the dark web? What more can companies do to make sure your data stays off of it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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[Fox News] World’s longest sky pool and resort built on a bridge
Imagine a place where the stark beauty of the desert meets the serene expanse of the sea.
This is Treyam, the latest jewel in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new NEOM project, designed to transform the desert landscape into a luxurious tourist destination.
As you approach Treyam, you can’t help but be wowed by its unique design. It’s not just a resort; it’s an architectural wonder that bridges a lagoon, promising an experience that’s as infinite as the pool it boasts.
Treyam isn’t just about luxury; it’s about an experience. It’s like your own personal portal to an underwater wonderland. Picture this: you’re chilling in your room, and there’s a glass floor under your feet and a glass ceiling above, giving you a front-row seat to the lagoon.
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When you’re ready to soak up some sun, head up to the 1,476-foot infinity pool, or what they like to call the “world’s longest sky pool.” At a length of four football fields, it’s like floating right into the sky, with nothing but cool blue water blending into the horizon. Talk about the ultimate chill spot.
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But Treyam is more than a place to chill. It’s a destination for the adventurous at heart. With wellness and fitness amenities at every turn, spa treatments that rejuvenate the soul, and water-based activities like scuba diving and windsurfing, there’s no end to the ways you can engage with this dynamic environment.
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What sets Treyam apart is its commitment to sustainability. The resort’s 250-room luxury design minimizes land intervention, preserving the natural integrity of the shoreline. It’s a place where luxury coexists with the landscape, offering panoramic views that celebrate the region’s natural splendor.
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Designed by visionaries Mark Foster Gage, Bashayer Bamohsen and Joe Tabet, Treyam stands not far from the Line on the Gulf of Aqaba. It’s a testament to Saudi Arabia’s focus on innovative development, promising a future where travel is not just about places, but about experiences that stay with you forever.
Treyam is expected to be more than a destination; it’ll be a real experience. Imagine a place where the desert meets the sea, creating a unique oasis. That’s what this place promises. The moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted by an impressive structure that’s sure to give you an unforgettable stay. The best part is that your room offers a window to the underwater world, while the infinity pool merges seamlessly with the sky. It’s not just luxury; it’s a connection with nature, the elements and yourself. So, pack your bags and set your future sights on Treyam.
If you could design your perfect getaway, what would it look like? Would it be a blend of adventure and zen like Treyam or something totally different? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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