Solar Viewing Box by Al Washburn
Al Washburn submitted the following instructions on how to build a Solar Viewing Box. This is a great project to do with the kids or grandkids. Its simple design will allow you to see the sun safely. (Prominences and sun spots will not be visible.)
How to Make a “Safe” Solar Viewing Box
Presented by Al Washburn
Materials
1 Box with collapsible top panels (large enough for an 8 ½in x 11in piece of paper to be taped on one side
1 Piece of “flat” aluminum foil 5cm x 5cm (2in x 2in)
1 Piece of white paper 22cm x 28cm (8 ½in x 11in or appropriate size – see below)
1 Straight pin
1 Pair Scissors/Exacto Knife Tape
Procedure
1) Take your box with collapsible top panels and at one end, inside, tape the piece of white paper (8 ½ in x 11in or appropriate size to fit box panel). This is your viewing screen.
2) At the opposite end, cut out a 2in x 2in hole (square or round doesn’t matter). Keep the hole centered on the white paper across from it.
3) Tape a piece of aluminum foil over the 2in x 2in hole.
4) Carefully, so it doesn’t tear, poke a pinhole in the center of the aluminum foil. This is where the sunlight will enter the box.
5) “Midway” on either side of the box, make a door by cutting three (3) equal length cuts (6in will do) in the box to create a door to open and close. The door should open outward and away from the pinhole end.
6) Seal over the top panels with the tape, so that light cannot enter, and you are ready.
7) Go outside on a clear day, face away from the sun and place the box on your shoulder. Lower the “view screen end” and “raise” the pinhole end. While looking through the side panel door, adjust the box (up, down, left, right) until you see the image of the sun cast onto the view screen!
CAUTION: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN
Astronomy 101 Class – 2011 by Cheryl Barker
Last year saw our first Astronomy 101 class. Club members attending were lucky enough to have Bob Carruthers, Chris Predom, Leo Taylor and Al Washburn as instructors. Between them, they’ve got more decades with the club and astronomy than they would want me to reveal here. <grin> or <groan>
Classes met monthly from March through November with a combination of classroom and hands on night sky/telescope instruction. The classes were set up to cover a broad range of topics including:
- Daily Motion of the Sky
- Stellar Magnitude
- Planisphere – Construction and Use
- Telescopes and Eyepieces
- Star Charts
- Types of Objects
- Planets and their Motions
- Cosmology
- Observing Methods
- and so on
The class sizes were small, between 4 and 8 people, which allowed each class to be tailored to the students needs. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed to attend these classes. The last class consisted of an open book quiz. Luckily Unfortunately, I missed the last class and was unable to take the quiz. Bob/Chris/Leo/Al – I do have the quiz and I will someday take it. Maybe I’ll take it when you re-give it after this year’s class.
Astronomy 101 Class – 2012 by Cheryl Baker
The first class for this year had to be cancelled due to lack of participation. We had 3 members who took the class last year (including me) sign up and one new member. While any member is welcome to attend any class, we really would like to encourage new members to attend. You do not have to sign up for all the classes. Just sign up for the ones that you find interesting or with topics you need help with. If there is a topic that you want covered, please let us know. We’ll be sending out notices for each month’s class and ask for RSVPs so that we can determine if the class is going to be held or not. Please consider broadening your astronomy horizons. I look forward to seeing you at a future class.