How to View a Partial Solar Eclipse

In a solar eclipse, the moon moves between the sun and the earth. Here's how to view solar eclipses with an indirect viewing system - never look directly at the sun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 Pieces Of White Cardboard
• Sharp Pencil Or Pins

1. Pick a viewing area that's not too crowded and has a good view of the sky. Visit the site beforehand to make sure no trees or buildings will block your view of the eclipse.

2. Punch a small hole into the center of a white piece of cardboard with a sharp pencil or a pin. The hole should be about the size of a pencil point. Thick paper will also work if cardboard is unavailable, but make sure it is opaque.

3. Turn your back to the sun during the eclipse, and hold the punched cardboard about 1 1 /2 feet above a second sheet of cardboard. The sun should be shining through the hole in the cardboard.

4. Adjust the distance between the sheets to get a clear, sharp image of the eclipse. Moving the sheets closer to each other will give you a smaller, sharper image.

5. View the eclipse as it occurs by looking at the image projected onto the second piece of cardboard. As the moon moves across the sun, a simi-larly shaped shadow will move across the bright disc of the sun's image on the cardboard.

Tips & Warnings

• Most solar eclipses are partial, occurring when the moon crosses the sun only part way. Total solar eclipses occur when the moon passes directly in front of the sun; they last only a few minutes.
• In annular solar eclipses, the moon passes in front of the sun but is too far from Earth to cover the sun's disc. This creates a dark circle in the middle of the sun, surrounded by a bright ring.
• Never look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse.