Annular Eclipse in Albuquerque - partial in NM - May 20, 2012 (homes, yard)

[Poncho_NM]

One solution.....

How to Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer | How to Build a Pinhole Camera | Space.com

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

One solution.....

Since the eclipse is going to occur so near sunset, projecting the image on
the wall of your house or garage or whatever is West-facing should be fine.
The light will be coming in nearly parallel to the horizon.

A pin-hole works, but a magnifying glass works even better and will project an image
good enough to see sunspots and the mountains on the horizon of the moon.

If you use a large sheet of something - like cardboard - you can cut a hole
in the center of it for mounting the lens of the magnifying glass. The large
sheet will shade the image so that it can be viewed more clearly.

You do not have to make the hole perfect nor worry about covering part
of the magnifying lens. The more free glass, the better the image, but
the more secure the mount, the less likelyhood of the lens falling out.

You can project an image simply by interlacing your fingers. You can get 5 to 6
separate images of the sun with a "bite" out of it and/or the annulus when total.

An image can also be projected out of the back of a pair of binoculars, but
the coatings on the lenses need to be able to take the concentrated sunlight.

The only disadvantage of using a projection device is that the image will
be upside down, but how would you know it was upside down anyway?

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by mortimer

Since the eclipse is going to occur so near sunset, projecting the image on
the wall of your house or garage or whatever is West-facing should be fine.

If you use a large sheet of something - like cardboard - you can cut a hole
in the center of it for mounting the lens of the magnifying glass. The large
sheet will shade the image so that it can be viewed more clearly.

An image can also be projected out of the back of a pair of binoculars,

The only disadvantage of using a projection device is that the image will
be upside down, but how would you know it was upside down anyway?

I'm gathering my magnifying glasses as we speak...

I actually have a telescope packed away, with a 'solar' projection screen, not sure if I'm go to try and dig it out...

Tried one pair of binoculars, not working well...

My welding goggle's are packed somewhere... Are they #14 filters???

Etc, etc... So what's the focal length of an unknown object while trying to re-make a pinhole camera etc etc etc...


Rich

[NMHacker]

There is someone on craigslist selling some. I contacted him but he is way on the other side of town from me now. Will try to get with him later today. He said he has about 300 pairs left and might get some more over the weekend.

[mortimer]

The problem with using goggles or welding glasses is that you view the sun at normal size vs. the magnified, projected image.

You can magnify the sun with binoculars and welding glasses and goggles, but you are asking
for instant blindness if something slips and your retina "sees" the magnified sun for an instant.

* * * Everybody please be careful. * * *

Also, remember to save your projectors and goggles for the transit of Venus on June 6 - also as the sun sets.

Eclipses happen every year or so, but the transit of Venus will happen next in 2117.
I'll be 158 years old and not pleasant to be around < snort! > like I AM now.

[stockwiz]

I'd just stare at the sun. I've been known to do it right when the sun is on the horizon line and I'm not blind or anything. That's the beauty of the eclipse being right at sunset.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by stockwiz

I'd just stare at the sun. I've been known to do it right when the sun is on the horizon line and I'm not blind or anything. That's the beauty of the eclipse being right at sunset.

Anybody with any knowledge of the situation show know better than to just stare at the sun.

So please do not come here recommending dangerous practices...


Rich

[aries63]

Usually you can see the sun's image projected on the ground through the leaves of a tree, but with the angle near sunset the image will be very elongated if you can find it. I guess you could set up something perpendicular to the sun's rays in the shadow of a tree if all else fails.

[caphillsea77]

So what's everyone have planned for tonights Solar Eclipse? Any particular spots picked out for viewing it? They say NM is going to be one of the best places to see it!

ABQJournal Online » Eclipse Viewing Sites

[NMHacker]

Going up to the petroglyphs.