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Pinhole images are pretty
dim and small. There's another projection method that uses a pair
of binoculars.
DO NOT LOOK THROUGH THE
BINOCULARS!
(Click the image for expanded instructions)
1) First,
you should firmly fix the binoculars to a tripod. You can do this
with duct tape (what else?).
2) Cut out
a shield made of cardboard and tape it to the front of the binoculars
with the lenses sticking through holes that you cut.
3) Put the
lens cap over one of the large binocular lenses or tape over one
of the front lenses with duct tape. (You really only need a monocular
for this.)
(Click the image for expanded instructions)
4) Use the
duct tape to seal any holes that leak light past the cardboard.
5) Point the
binocular towards the sun while holding a piece of white cardboard
about a foot behind the eyepiece.
6) It will
take a little effort to find the sun. Once you do, you can focus
the binoculars to bring the sun to a sharp image.
Be careful
not to put your hand or anything flammable near the eyepiece!
The concentrated sunlight exiting there can cause a nasty burn
or set something ablaze!
Now you can
watch a beautiful, bright, magnified image of the sun as the eclipse
proceeds. You will have to adjust the tripod to account for the
earth's rotation. One possible warning here. You might give your
binoculars a cooling break now and then. The eyepiece may become
overheated and the lens elements may separate if you leave it
on the sun too long. You've been warned!
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