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It is never safe to look directly at the Sun. Astronomers use various techniques to overcome this, but even if you don't own a telescope, you can safely view an image of the Sun by making a simple solar viewer. Basically, this viewer consists of two parts, a projector and a screen, and is very easy to make and use.

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EditSteps

  1. Make a Simple Solar Viewer Step 1.jpg
    1
    Cut a 2" (50mm) square out of the center of a paper or plastic foam plate (though any easy to cut, fairly opaque object will do).
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  2. Make a Simple Solar Viewer Step 2.jpg
    2
    Take a 3" (76mm) square of aluminum foil and tape it over the square cutout along the edges.
  3. Make a Simple Solar Viewer Step 3.jpg
    3
    Using a toothpick, carefully poke as round a hole possible in the center of the foil. Make sure that the hole is no larger in diameter than the toothpick. The viewer is now ready to use.
  4. Make a Simple Solar Viewer Step 4.jpg
    4
    Take another plate (or any other white colored surface) and hold it lined up with the projector. This is the screen. They should be lined up so that the shadow of the projector covers the screen. A small image of the Sun is projected onto the screen through the pinhole. You should be facing your back to the sun, with the screen in front of you. An inverted image of the sun will show on the screen, through the pinhole.
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EditTips

  • The image of the Sun will be small, but you can adjust the size of this image by moving the projector back and forth. Moving the viewer away from the screen will make the image larger.

EditWarnings

  • NEVER look directly at the Sun!

EditThings You'll Need

  • Two paper or foam plastic plates (though any round or square opaque and easy to cut surface will do)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Tape
  • Toothpick
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (for measuring)
  • Pen or marker (for marking)

    Materials for a simple solar viewer

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Photograph a Lunar Eclipse

How to
Create Your Own Solar Eclipse Goggles

How to
View an Eclipse

Article Info

Categories: Astronomy

Recent edits by: Kanhu, Claudia, Khizar Uzair Patel

In other languages:

Español: Cómo hacer un visor solar simple

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