How can I view this eclipse?

[Okjoek]

I'm told not to try and look directly at the eclipse and I understand why, but is there any safe way to catch a glimpse without having to buy something? We've all got sunglasses, but I'm fairly sure that's not enough. Could I stack several pairs of sunglasses or something or is there something I can look at it through? 

[Okjoek]

What about using a mirror? Or perhaps use my phone camera, like maybe view it with my selfie-camera from over my shoulder?

[Zando_]

A telescope for moar detail!

[Zando_]

Seriously though, I watched a partial eclipse as a kid through 4-6 layers of film stacked on top of each other. Jut go get a cheap film packet or a disposable camera on look though that. I don't remember if it was developed first though...

[RumSwift]

You need to download it first

[SteveGrabowski0]

If you're not in the totality zone you'd be nuts to look at a partial eclipse.

[2FA]

15 minutes ago, Okjoek said:

What about using a mirror? Or perhaps use my phone camera, like maybe view it with my selfie-camera from over my shoulder?

You know those will just reflect the light directly into your eyes right since they're reflective surfaces? Selfie cam might work as long as you keep your face out of the shot.

[Okjoek]

Just now, DeadEyePsycho said:

You know those will just reflect the light directly into your eyes right since they're reflective surfaces? Selfie cam might work as long as you keep your face out of the shot.

I did realize that. Just machine-gunning ideas, definitely not gonna go with that one. I feel I'll combine sunglasses with looking at it through my forward phone camera so the entire device is between my eyes and the view of the sun. I'll grab a piece of cardboard with a hole in it to hold around the phone just to block the peripheral vision around the phone too.

[RumSwift]

Not sure if this would work but set up a laptop/camera and remote view the image

[dalekphalm]

4 hours ago, Okjoek said:

I'm told not to try and look directly at the eclipse and I understand why, but is there any safe way to catch a glimpse without having to buy something? We've all got sunglasses, but I'm fairly sure that's not enough. Could I stack several pairs of sunglasses or something or is there something I can look at it through? 

 

3 hours ago, Okjoek said:

What about using a mirror? Or perhaps use my phone camera, like maybe view it with my selfie-camera from over my shoulder?

1. Stacking multiple sunglasses: Nope. Unless you can stack enough of the material to form what are essential Welding Goggles, they won't be dark enough. You could still easily burn your retina.

2. Mirror: HELL NO! You're just reflecting the sunlight back into your eyes. Sure it might be 99.9% of the light instead of 100%, but it's still far more than needed to permanently damage your eyes. And if the mirror had a concave (even minor), it could possibly even magnify the force of the light.

3. Camera: NO NO NO! Please don't use your camera. You risk destroying your camera. Cameras need a properly rated filter that is rated to withstand the rays and brightness of the sun. These are often called "Solar" filters, but there are specific standards that guarantee it meets the requirements.

 

What can you do: Pinhole Projector Box!

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/box-pinhole-projector.html

 

Basically, this is a safe way to view the eclipse in a non-direct manner. It's neat, but certainly not as cool as seeing the real thing. It is safe though, as you're looking at the "shadow" of the eclipse on the inside of the box.

[Okjoek]

1 minute ago, dalekphalm said:

 

1. Stacking multiple sunglasses: Nope. Unless you can stack enough of the material to form what are essential Welding Goggles, they won't be dark enough. You could still easily burn your retina.

2. Mirror: HELL NO! You're just reflecting the sunlight back into your eyes. Sure it might be 99.9% of the light instead of 100%, but it's still far more than needed to permanently damage your eyes. And if the mirror had a concave (even minor), it could possibly even magnify the force of the light.

3. Camera: NO NO NO! Please don't use your camera. You risk destroying your camera. Cameras need a properly rated filter that is rated to withstand the rays and brightness of the sun. These are often called "Solar" filters, but there are specific standards that guarantee it meets the requirements.

 

What can you do: Pinhole Projector Box!

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/box-pinhole-projector.html

 

Basically, this is a safe way to view the eclipse in a non-direct manner. It's neat, but certainly not as cool as seeing the real thing. It is safe though, as you're looking at the "shadow" of the eclipse on the inside of the box.

Just decided not to even bother because it's partly cloudy today and the cloud cover was probably why it was so warm out. We just stayed inside with the AC on and played video games.

[dalekphalm]

2 minutes ago, Okjoek said:

Just decided not to even bother because it's partly cloudy today and the cloud cover was probably why it was so warm out. We just stayed inside with the AC on and played video games.

Fair enough - Peak Eclipse was right at 2:30 here in Ontario. I went out for a few minutes with a pair of Eclipse Glasses (thankfully one of our staff members brought in a few pairs) and it was quite neat, but since we're not within Totality range, it wasn't that exciting.

 

I wanted to setup a time-lapse video on a tripod, but unfortunately I couldn't get a hold of a lens filter in time, as basically everywhere was sold out of anything Eclipse rated.

[ADDevereaux]

Hey, you can view eclipse with the help of glasses which are especially design for eclipse viewing.

[Arika]

whaaaat the hell? why was this mega bumped? Bit out of date on the advice there @ADDevereaux. plus they did say "without having to buy something"

[Skanky Sylveon]

Wait, what.

@ADDevereaux  Are you a necromancer?  Also welcome to the forums.

 

While this advice is out of date, shade 14 welding glass will give full protection.

Also, while the eclipse is in its totality, you can view it without anything and be fine, as a matter of fact the totality is impossible to see with proper eye protection on.

[ADDevereaux]

20 hours ago, Cinnabar Sonar said:

Wait, what.

@ADDevereaux  Are you a necromancer?  Also welcome to the forums.

 

While this advice is out of date, shade 14 welding glass will give full protection.

Also, while the eclipse is in its totality, you can view it without anything and be fine, as a matter of fact the totality is impossible to see with proper eye protection on.

Not at all.

[ADDevereaux]

23 hours ago, Sierra Fox said:

whaaaat the hell? why was this mega bumped? Bit out of date on the advice there @ADDevereaux. plus they did say "without having to buy something"

I think that i didn't read correctly.

[Skanky Sylveon]

8 minutes ago, ADDevereaux said:

Not at all.

Could have fooled me.