Get ready! The UK’s most significant eclipse since 1999 will be visible tomorrow (Wednesday 12 August). While the UK will see a partial eclipse people in parts of Iceland, Greenland and Spain will have access to the total eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs whenever the moon comes between the sun and the earth and casts a shadow on the earth.
Experts are reminding everyone to not look directly into the sun while the eclipse is taking place, even with sunglasses or dark googles, as you could end up seriously damaging your eyesight, according to The Royal Astronomical Society.
However, there are various ways to observe eclipses safely, using both everyday materials and telescopes or binoculars.
Eclipse Viewers: If you are able to find a pair of eclipse viewers or shades then that is a safe and enjoyable way to view the eclipse directly. Eclipse shades are a bit like the 3D card glasses you used to get at the cinema, but they have special dark material in them to cut down the Sun’s light by 100,000 times.
Colanders: One of the easiest ways to watch an eclipse safely is with a simple kitchen colander. With your back facing the Sun, hold the colander in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other. Position the colander between the Sun and the paper, and you’ll see multiple images of the eclipse projected onto the paper — allowing you to enjoy the spectacle without looking directly at the Sun.
Pinhole Viewers: A pinhole can be used to project an image of the Sun without looking directly at it. You’ll need two pieces of white card. Carefully make a tiny hole in one card using a compass or similar tool. With your back to the Sun, hold the two pieces of card up, placing the card with the hole closer to the Sun. Sunlight passing through the tiny opening will create a small projected image on the second piece of card, giving you a safe way to watch the eclipse.
You can also make a simple projector using a cereal box or another similar cardboard box. Create a small pinhole in one side and point that side towards the Sun. You should see a tiny image of the Sun appear on the inside of the box. Adding a piece of white paper or card inside can make the image easier to spot.
Important: Never look through the pinhole towards the Sun. Only look at the image that is projected onto the card or inside the box.
Mirrors: A small flat mirror, such as a make-up mirror, can project the Sun’s image onto a pale wall. Cover the mirror with paper and make a tiny hole, no more than 5mm wide. With your back to the Sun, use the mirror to reflect the image onto the wall, ideally from around 5m away.
⚠️ Never look at the Sun in the mirror, and don’t use a magnifying mirror. Take care not to reflect sunlight into anyone’s eyes.
For a clearer image, try projecting onto an indoor wall through a window. A smaller mirror and greater distance can also produce a sharper image. Interestingly, the projected Sun remains circular even if the hole in the paper is a different shape.
