Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Viewing a Total Eclipse
Locate the small area of the world where the eclipse will occur - a band about 100 kilometers thick that stretches around half the planet. In most cases, you will have to travel to a point on the band to see the total solar eclipse.
Join a group, if you can, that has at least one expert or veteran eclipse chaser. They can instruct you on the proper and best methods of enjoying the eclipse, and they can make sure you end up in the right place for the eclipse.
Take along a small telescope or binoculars, which will reveal fantastic details not seen with the eye. A total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes. During that time you can look directly at the sun without any filters.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and have something refreshing to drink if you plan to say out during the entirety of the total solar eclipse (and the partial eclipses before and after).
Expect a partial eclipse prior to the total eclipse. It will last over an hour. After the total eclipse will be another partial eclipse for over an hour.
Notice, before and after totality, strange shadow effects visible on lightly colored, flat surfaces. These are called shadow bands. Not everyone sees the shadow bands; they are hard to spot.
Lie in a recliner or deck chair or on a blanket. The best way to view a total solar eclipse is from a lounge chair that allows you to look up at the sun comfortably. A blanket spread on a hillside will work well, too.
Try to relax, and be ready to see a lot as totality approaches and the sun becomes a sliver of light.
Feel the temperature drop noticeably. There will be a slight chill in the air.
Watch for birds, insects and other animals. They will think it is time to go to bed.
Watch to the West as totality gets closer. You may be able to see the shadow of the moon sweeping toward you at over 1,800 miles per hour. As the shadow silently sweeps over you, it will get as dark as being outside during a full moon.
Wait until someone yells, "Diamond ring," or "Second contact." Then it is safe to look at the sun.
See the last bit of the bright sun going out and the corona shining around the dark moon. This is called the diamond-ring effect.
Look for the bright red dots around the edge of the moon. These are called prominences. Binoculars will greatly improve your view, as will a small telescope.
Look for the white crown of light around the moon. This is called the corona.
Look to the north and south poles of the sun - the corona will be shaped in a brushed fashion.
Look at the east and west edges of the sun - the corona will have streamers reaching out.
Look for bright planets and stars briefly.
Look at the horizon and sky color. You will see sunset all around going to twilight sky toward the eclipsed sun.
Watch as new prominences grow out of the opposite side of the moon as the total eclipse nears completion. A brilliant diamond-ring effect will appear at the end of the eclipse. The sun's shadow will race off towards the east.
Do not look at the sun anymore.
Start planning for your next total solar eclipse excursion.
Viewing a Partial Eclipse
Find out when a solar eclipse will be visible from your location or when an eclipse is happening nearby.
Pick a viewing area that is not too crowded and has a good view of the sky. There should be no trees or buildings between you and the sun at the time of day the eclipse takes place. (You can check this the day before or earlier.)
Make an indirect viewing system, which is similar to a pinhole camera. (See the next section.)
Turn your back to the sun and let the sun shine through the pinhole.
View the eclipse as it occurs by looking at the image that is projected onto another object.
Making an Indirect Viewing System
Get two sheets of white paper. Stiff cardboard is best.
Punch a small hole in the center of one of the sheets. The hole should be about the size of a pencil point.
Turn your back to the sun and hold the sheet with the hole up so that the sun is shining on one of the flat sides and through the hole.
Hold the second sheet in the shadow of the first, about 1/2 meter (2 feet) away. An image of the eclipsed sun should appear.
Move the sheets closer to each other to get a smaller, sharper image.