4 Other Ways to Use Your Solar Filters After the Eclipse
If you have solar filters left over after the eclipse, consider these four useful ways to keep them from going to waste. Solar filters are caps over your lenses that dim and adjust the light so you can safely look at the sun without risking damage to your eyes. After the solar eclipse, you don’t need to throw away your filters; here are some ways that you can continue to put them to use.
Solar Observation
Observe sunspots and other phenomena on a regular basis. You can use them to determine what is happening in the Sun’s chromosphere and corona. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our closest star and the effects it can have on Earth. With the right filters, you can even use them to catch glimpses of the last solar flares.
Photography
Capture breathtaking shots of the sun or sunsets. Solar filters magnify the sun’s image so that you can capture details that would normally be indiscernible. That can make for some truly stunning photos, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Welding Projects
Put your filters to use when welding. Putting filters over your lenses can help to protect your eyes from UV and infrared radiation while you are welding. If you are a hobbyist or are just starting out, this is a great way to ensure that you have maximum eye protection.
Teaching Tools
Make your solar filters a teaching aid. Show them to the students in your class or your children—they can take in the view through the filter and explain why we should never look directly at the sun without them. It’s a great opportunity to get them interested in science and the wonders of the natural world.
Solar filters are a must for any astronomy enthusiast, and they’re easy to come by before an eclipse. Even after the effects of the eclipse have worn off, you can still put your filters to use by observing the sun, taking pictures, welding, or using them as a teaching tool.
