Society for Popular Astronomy

Other Methods of Observing the Eclipse

The shape of the sun's image will be transmitted through, for want of a better term, the interstices between the leaves of a tree or a bush. That is, what is seen on the ground as spots of sunlight will display the crescent shape of the sun. This can be used to point out the progress of the eclipse to others.

Someone could devise an experiment with holes of differing shapes and sizes to determine the largest practical orifice that will still transmit the crescent shape of the sun's image.

Oh, yes - almost forgot another method. Uses no paper at all. Clench your fist, then relax the fingers a bit and orient your hand so that sunlight will travel through the resulting "hole" - Same result.

Maintained by Michael Oates Email: mike@ph.u-net.com
Last modified 11th Oct 1996