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Solar Eclipse 2012

(edit, added Eclipse pictures)

As a break to reading about XAML data binding in Windows 8 Metro applications I decided to make a solar observing telescope for the upcoming Eclipse around 5:30PM here at my Mom’s home in Los Angeles.

I raided the Christmas supplies for a couple elongated toilet paper rolls. Winking smile One slightly less in diameter than the other. I created a shim between the two with some thick packing paper to keep the tubes relatively aligned. Then I cut a viewing hole at the bottom and used a couple rubber bands to hold a piece of paper on one end and some aluminum foil on the other. I pierced a pin hole in the aluminum foil. I may attempt a darker paper on the viewing end.

Eclipse2 Eclipse1Sized

My creation note the rubber band mounting to the tripod head.DuringEclipse (2) I left the shadow for an artsy look! DuringEclipse (4)DuringEclipse (1)

Fun. Didn’t take that long to construct, and it’s not every day you get to experience an eclipse. Next time I want to get a long piece of PVC.

I found a couple useful resources out on the ‘net.

http://shadowandsubstance.com/ Nice track of the center line of the Eclipse geo located.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/pinhole3.html Some viewer construction enlightenment.

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