A significant solar eclipse is set to occur, and an astrophysicist has revealed ways to watch it safely. Mark Gallaway warned that looking directly at the eclipse without proper protection can cause severe eye damage.
Methods for Safe Viewing
There are three methods to watch the solar eclipse without special glasses: a cardboard box projector, the cookie method, and using binoculars and paper. The cardboard box projector involves making a small hole in a cardboard box, covering it with aluminum foil, and projecting the image onto a piece of white paper. The cookie method uses a kitchen colander or a Ritz biscuit to project the image onto a piece of white paper. The binoculars and paper method involves using binoculars to project an image of the sun onto a piece of white paper, but requires caution to avoid looking directly at the sun.
The eclipse will be visible in the UK, with the Moon covering 89-96% of the sun, depending on the location. The eclipse is not total in the UK, and it is unlikely to get very dark. The maximum eclipse will occur between 7:05 p.m. and 7:16 p.m. BST.
Essentials to Know
It is essential to remember to never look directly at the sun during the eclipse, unless using proper eclipse glasses or a correctly fitted solar filter. The methods mentioned above can be used to safely view the eclipse, but require caution and adult supervision.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
