How to turn empty beer can into pinhole camera to record Sun's path

Strap yourselves in, as we have got science to do. Have you ever thought that the empty beer can, which we usually throw into the waste box can be used for probing into the dark dwelled atmosphere of starry nights. The ultimate aim of this project is to make a pinhole light proof camera with just small apparatus. The pinhole beer camera concept is the brainchild of Greg Parker, Professor of Photonics, University of Southampton. The mechanism works on basic principle that, when the light passes through the pinhole it displays an inverted image on the opposite side of the box. Precision Solargraphy (tracking the moment of the sun) is what we are aiming to achieve through this project:

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Difficulty Level

The difficulty level is medium.

Time required

Few hours

Estimated cost

Almost free

Resources required

The material required to make this project are a light-proof cover, black tape and a 5x7in sheet of photographic paper for registering the sun streaks and a beer can.

Instructions

1. After inserting the 5x7in sheet of photographic paper inside the can (for recording the sun streaks) The top of the can should be totally revamped with the light-proof cover and black tape.

2. The image would depict the sun's path at the summer solstice (21st June 2010) to the winter solstice (21st December, 2010).

3. After six warm months of exposure the pinhole image 'burns' itself onto the paper.

4. Now, its the time to remove the photographic paper and quickly place it into a digital scanner for lifting the image off the paper.

Frequently asked questions

How it will give an undistorted image?

You don't need to worry about the picture quality as the photographic paper is laid flat inside the camera.

What is a pin hole camera?

It is a very simple form of camera (without lens) with only a small aperture.

Quick tips

With this camera you can analyse the path of the sun for nearly six months.

Use 5x7 inch sheet of photographic paper to record the sun streaks for much better results.

Things to watch out for

Assure that you are using a proper flap for covering and uncovering the pinhole during lengthy exposure times.

It should be remembered that the hole should be smaller for projecting a sharper image.

The pinhole camera's shutter design should allow manual adjustments. It should also include a flap of some light-proof material for covering and uncovering the pinhole.

Via: Dailymail