What is the safest way to view a solar eclipse?
Punch a pinhole in an index card and hold it 2 to 3 feet in front of another index card. The projected image of the eclipse can be viewed safely on the bottom index card. Adjust the distance between the two cards to bring the image into focus. There are also special glasses with aluminized Mylar lenses that may be purchased. Damage to the eye’s retina can occur if the eclipse is viewed directly or with inappropriate equipment like photographic filters, exposed film, smoked glass, camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars. Sources: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 9, 1994, sec. A, p. 6; Sky and Telescope, vol. 87 (May 1994), pp. 73-74.
