Page 32 - Dream_2047_June_2020

ANNULAR S LAR ECLIPSE
TOOLS
Solar filter for camera and telescope
Telescope and camera companies make specially designed solar filters. By mounting these filters on the telescope the Sun can be observed directly. These solar filters are a bit costlier, but they are favoured, because, they are available in different shades. For example, through chromium filter the Sun appears in orange colour, whereas it appears blue-grey when observed through aluminated mylar. You can mount these filters on telescopes easily and observe the Sun directly.
Indirect methods for observing solar eclipse safely
Mirror method
The mirror method is a good and simple method of observing solar eclipse safely. What you need is just a piece of circular mirror (about 7.5 cm radius) which you can easily get from a local stationary shop. Throw the image of the Sun on a wall at least one metre away. If you like you can stick the mirror on a ball and keeping it in a bowl filled with sand to form the image of the Sun on a wall or a screen. This is the easiest and the safest way of watching a solar eclipse.
Pin hole projection camera
If you do not have filter goggles or welder’s glass, then you can make your own pinhole camera to see the image of the Sun. Use a cardboard box to make your pinhole projection camera. You may also use two white cardboard pieces to make the projection. Make a small hole (pinhole) in a piece of cardboard and let sunlight fall on the second piece of cardboard through it; this will form an inverted image of the Sun on the second cardboard. To increase the size of the image, increase the distance between the two cardboards and to increase the brightness of the image, bring the two cardboards closer. While making hole in the cardboard, be cautious to keep its size small, or else, you will see the spread of sunlight only in place of the image of the Sun. Remember, seeing Sun directly through pinhole maybe dangerous; therefore, while using a pinhole camera the Sun should remain at your back. The sunlight from the pinhole of the cardboard passes over your shoulders and forms the inverted image of the Sun on the cardboard screen.
Remember, seeing Sun directly through pinhole maybe dangerous; therefore, while using a pinhole camera the Sun should remain at your back. The sunlight from the pinhole of the cardboard passes over your shoulders and forms the inverted image of the Sun on the cardboard screen.
Solar filter for camera or telescope
(Credit: https://astronomy.wonderhowto.com/how-to/ red-ring-fire-heres-watch-sundays-annular-solar- eclipse-and-not-get-blinded-0135101/)
Pinhole projection camera (Credit: https://www. timeanddate.com/eclipse/box-pinhole-projector.html)
Projection with a telescope
A small, inexpensive telescope, having no solar filter, can be used to project the image of the Sun on a screen. Turn the telescope till you get the image of the Sun on the screen. Then adjust the distance of the screen to bring the image in focus. Now turn the focussing knob to get a clear sharp image. Extra sunlight coming from the surroundings can be stopped and contrast can be enhanced by placing a cardboard in front of the telescope. Obviously, looking at the Sun directly through a
Mirror method (Credit:https://www.popastro.com/ main_spa1/using-a-mirror-to-view-a-partial-eclipse/)
32 dream2047/june2020