What is a solar eclipse? What precautions must you take if you want to watch it?
What is a solar eclipse? What precautions must you take if you want to watch it?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking it out partially or completely. The eclipse results in parts of the earth being covered in the shadow of the moon. When the moon passes in front of the sun, the moon will block the sun's light toward Earth, causing the moon's shadow to fall onto Earth. In the direct shadow of the moon, the sky on Earth will darken in what is known as the umbra.
Due to the rate of movement of the sun, the moon, and the earth, the duration of a total solar eclipse never lasts more than 7 minutes and 31 seconds. It takes the moon about one month to orbit the earth, but there is not an eclipse every month. This is because the orbital plane of the moon around the earth is slightly different than the orbital plane of the earth around the sun. Therefore, a solar eclipse only occurs when the moon is in front of the sun and the orbital planes intersect.
The most important message is never to look directly at the Sun, even through sunglasses or dark material such as a bin liner or photographic negative. Here are some of the best safe methods of observing the magical moment when the Moon moves in front of the Sun.
Using a mirror:
Cover a small flat mirror with paper that has a small hole cut in it. The hole does not have to be circular but should be no wider than 5mm. The smaller the mirror and further away the wall, the sharper the image will be. Experiment with the distances and mirror size.big advantage of this method is that it allows a number of people to watch the eclipse at the same time - ideal for schools.
Make a pinhole viewer:
Pinholes allow light through them and can create an image like a lens. Make a small hole in a piece of card using a compass or other sharp-pointed implement. Standing with your back to the Sun, position another white card behind the one with the pinhole so that the Sun projects an image onto it.Never look through the pinhole at the Sun.
Projection from binoculars or a telescope:
Cover one eyepiece of a pair of binoculars with a lens cap and face the "big" end of the binoculars towards the Sun. The uncovered lens will project an image of the Sun that can be cast onto a plain card held about a foot away. Use the focus wheel to sharpen the image.
Colander method:
Take an ordinary kitchen colander and stand with your back to the Sun holding it in one hand and a piece of paper in the other.
The holes in the colander can be used to project multiple eclipse images onto the paper.
Watch the footage of the eclipse on TV:
It might sound boring but the safest way to see the eclipse is to view it indirectly from the comfort of your home.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking it out partially or completely. The eclipse results in parts of the earth being covered in the shadow of the moon. When the moon passes in front of the sun, the moon will block the sun's light toward Earth, causing the moon's shadow to fall onto Earth. In the direct shadow of the moon, the sky on Earth will darken in what is known as the umbra.
Due to the rate of movement of the sun, the moon, and the earth, the duration of a total solar eclipse never lasts more than 7 minutes and 31 seconds. It takes the moon about one month to orbit the earth, but there is not an eclipse every month. This is because the orbital plane of the moon around the earth is slightly different than the orbital plane of the earth around the sun. Therefore, a solar eclipse only occurs when the moon is in front of the sun and the orbital planes intersect.
The most important message is never to look directly at the Sun, even through sunglasses or dark material such as a bin liner or photographic negative. Here are some of the best safe methods of observing the magical moment when the Moon moves in front of the Sun.
Using a mirror:
Cover a small flat mirror with paper that has a small hole cut in it. The hole does not have to be circular but should be no wider than 5mm. The smaller the mirror and further away the wall, the sharper the image will be. Experiment with the distances and mirror size.big advantage of this method is that it allows a number of people to watch the eclipse at the same time - ideal for schools.
Make a pinhole viewer:
Pinholes allow light through them and can create an image like a lens. Make a small hole in a piece of card using a compass or other sharp-pointed implement. Standing with your back to the Sun, position another white card behind the one with the pinhole so that the Sun projects an image onto it.Never look through the pinhole at the Sun.
Projection from binoculars or a telescope:
Cover one eyepiece of a pair of binoculars with a lens cap and face the "big" end of the binoculars towards the Sun. The uncovered lens will project an image of the Sun that can be cast onto a plain card held about a foot away. Use the focus wheel to sharpen the image.
Colander method:
Take an ordinary kitchen colander and stand with your back to the Sun holding it in one hand and a piece of paper in the other.
The holes in the colander can be used to project multiple eclipse images onto the paper.
Watch the footage of the eclipse on TV:
It might sound boring but the safest way to see the eclipse is to view it indirectly from the comfort of your home.
