What are you doin’ tonight from 6 p.m. ‘til
sundown? Well, whatever fun plans you’ve got, think about fitting in a little
time to check out Venus as it passes between the Earth and the Sun. Tonight
will be your only chance to see the planet make this move until December 2117.
But be careful because you shouldn’t be looking at the Sun with your naked eye,
or even with some sweet shades. In order to see this super-cool planet, you
need to make yourself a projector using some binoculars. Here’s how:
1. Grab some duct tape, and attach a pair of binoculars to a
tripod.
2. Get a piece of cardboard. Trace the front circles
(meaning the large end) of the binoculars on it, and cut them out.
3. Stick the binoculars through the holes you cut out, and
tape the cardboard in place.
4. Put the lens cap on one of the binocular lenses, or just
tape over it. (You’re only gonna need one to view the Sun.)
5. Plug any holes in the cardboard or around the lenses with
more duct tape.
6. Get a white piece of cardboard, and hold it about a foot
away from the back end (the small part) of the binoculars.
7. Scooch the tripod around ‘til ya see a pic of the Sun on
your cardboard, and then you can focus the binoculars to make it clearer.
8. Watch history unfold as Venus makes its move!
Just a note – be careful not to put your hands or anything
that might catch fire near the back lens of your binoculars. That’s some strong
Sun you’re catchin’ there, and ya don’t want it to burn anything. In fact, you
might wanna move your binoculars out of the sun for a little bit, just to give
them a break from the heat every once in a while. They could get messed up if
ya keep ‘em trained on that burnin’ ball all night.
For more viewing tips, check out MSNBC’s awesome guide to
the Venus transit
HERE. Will you be watching this afternoon?
BY CARRIE RUPPERT ON 6/5/2012 2:36:00 PM
POSTED IN fun stuff to do with kids, babysitting activities, boredom buster, get outside, spring fun