4 ways to watch a solar eclipse without burning your eyes
Even during a solar eclipse, it isn’t safe to look directly at the sun, but with a proper solar filter or a simple pinhole projector, you can still watch it disappear behind the moon
Solar eclipses occur when the moon blocks the sun's rays, casting a shadow on Earth. To safely observe this phenomenon without damaging one's eyesight, there are several methods to consider. The most reliable approach involves donning special eclipse glasses, which are designed to filter out an overwhelming majority of the sun's light, allowing only a negligible amount to pass through. These glasses are significantly darker than typical sunglasses, providing adequate protection for direct viewing during a total eclipse.
In the absence of eclipse glasses, alternative methods can still facilitate the observation of a partial eclipse. One such method is the utilization of shadows, which can reveal the obscured portion of the sun through projected outlines. This can be achieved through commonplace objects, such as a colander, cheese grater, or one's hands arranged in a grid pattern. Additionally, natural elements, like the leaves of a tree, can cast crescent-shaped shadows, offering a visual cue of the partial eclipse.
Another technique involves constructing a simple pinhole projector, which consists of a cardboard box with a minute aperture. By positioning the hole facing the sun and directing the projected image onto a surface opposite the opening, observers can witness the sun's shape reflected on the opposite end of the box. This method requires caution, as direct gaze through the aperture should be avoided, as it could still pose a risk to one's vision.
Instead, focus on the projected image to fully appreciate the eclipse's occurrence without compromising eye health.
Written by urgent.news from New Scientist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
