How do you watch today's historic solar eclipse? If you're in the continental United States, you'll want to get an elevated, unobstructed view of the western and northwest horizon when the eclipse begins -- as early as the 5 o'clock hour near the northwestern tip of California, local time.
The simplest way is to project the eclipse on a surface, so you don't look at the sun directly.
One easy method: using a hand mirror to reflect the light of the sun onto the sidewalk, said Griffith Observatory Director Ed Krupp.
Another idea is to use binoculars to project an image of the sun on a surface, NASA says. Just don't use the binoculars to look at the sun directly!
Another easy way is to crisscross your fingers waffle style to the sunlight, which will project the partial eclipse on the ground in front of you, according to a NASA video on Sunday's eclipse.
If you're near a tree, look underneath the sun-dappled canopy of leaves, and you might be able to see the projections of countless
mini-eclipses on the ground.
You can also get a piece of cardboard, punch hole in it with a nail, and then angle the cardboard to project the sun's light on another piece of cardboard. "You'll see a projected image … when the sun goes into eclipse, you'll see a crescent," said Krupp. The smaller the hole, the sharper image you can get.
FULL COVERAGE: SOLAR ECLIPSE 2012
The simplest way is to project the eclipse on a surface, so you don't look at the sun directly.
One easy method: using a hand mirror to reflect the light of the sun onto the sidewalk, said Griffith Observatory Director Ed Krupp.
Another idea is to use binoculars to project an image of the sun on a surface, NASA says. Just don't use the binoculars to look at the sun directly!
Another easy way is to crisscross your fingers waffle style to the sunlight, which will project the partial eclipse on the ground in front of you, according to a NASA video on Sunday's eclipse.
If you're near a tree, look underneath the sun-dappled canopy of leaves, and you might be able to see the projections of countless
You can also get a piece of cardboard, punch hole in it with a nail, and then angle the cardboard to project the sun's light on another piece of cardboard. "You'll see a projected image … when the sun goes into eclipse, you'll see a crescent," said Krupp. The smaller the hole, the sharper image you can get.
FULL COVERAGE: SOLAR ECLIPSE 2012
