[pasmembers] Re: Question about solar eclipse
- From: Tim Jones <timj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 10:32:14 -0700
Thanks, Leah - all excellent input.
Tim
On May 17, 2012, at 6:54 AM, LPhxAZ wrote:
> if anyone is interested, I am forwarding some eclipse viewing tips that I
> recently sent to a teacher
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> Dear Alison,
>
> suggestions for safe viewing:
> http://mreclipse.com/Totality2/TotalityCh11.html
>
> in the section on pinhole projection method, where they mention "two thin but
> stiff pieces of white cardboard" - paper plates are very good for this.
> remember to stand with your back to the Sun when using this. you can
> practice on a non-eclipse day.
>
> another projection method, not listed in the article is: look on the ground
> under a tree. the spaces between the leaves form many pinholes, and you will
> see a whole bunch of crescents as the sun is eclipsed. makes a great photo!
> http://www.hartrao.ac.za/other/eclipse2002/pinhole.html
>
> and here is another link I found that you can share with your students,
> including step-by-step instructions for making a pinhole projection viewer:
> http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how.html
>
> I tried several different methods of pinhole projection, and found that the
> "two pieces of cardboard" is easiest to use and gives the best results - even
> better than the one with the UPS tube in the exploratorium article.
>
> paper plates work well and are easily available, but I used box lids from a
> case of copy paper. or you can use the sides of a cut-up carton, or a
> shoebox and its lid, etc etc.
>
> you can even punch holes in a pattern (e.g. I made one where the pinholes are
> arranged to show the number 2012) and when you use it during the eclipse -
> each pinhole will show a view of the eclipsed Sun. great photo-op!
>
> if using a pinhole projector, it's a good idea to prepare it ahead of time,
> and try it out before the eclipse. you can try different size pinholes
> (anywhere from very tiny, to about 1/8 inch) and see what gives you the best
> effect. I made one with actual pinholes, and another with pinholes enlarged
> using a sharpened pencil (that's for the 1/8 inch). you don't need to use
> aluminum foil - I made the pinholes directly in the cardboard. (and if you
> make one in the wrong place, just cover it with a small piece of paper or
> posterboard.)
>
> besides testing the pinhole projectors outside, I also tested them with a
> flashlight in a darkened room, to make sure that what I was seeing was an
> image and not just a circle of diffuse light projected through a circular
> opening. you can also test them by using them when the Sun is partly hidden
> by a tree or building, and then you can see that you are getting an image and
> not just a circle of light.
>
> please go ahead and share this with your students!
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