わが家での金環日食簡易観測 (Simple Observation of Annular Solar Eclipse at Home)

　2012年5月21日、1987年に沖縄で見られて以来25年ぶり、広範囲で見られるものとしては932年ぶりという金環日食があった。午前7時過ぎから、太平洋側を中心とした各地で観測することが出来た。大阪・堺のわが家でも、簡単な観測と撮影を試みた。大阪での金環日食は7:28と、TV ニュースで聞いていた。

On May 21, 2012, the first annular eclipse of Japan occurred in 25 years since it was viewed in Okinawa in 1987; and this was also the first time in 932 years since it was seen in the wide area in this country. This time, observation was possible in many regions around Pacific coast from a little past 7:00 am. At our home in Sakai, Osaka, we tried to observe this phenomenon and to take photos of it by elementary methods. We heard in TV news that the annular solar eclipse would occur in Osaka at 7:28.

すでに7:13頃、タチアオイの葉の虫食い穴から漏れる日光が太陽の欠け始めを示していた。
Around 7:13 am, sunlight leaking from the worm hole of hollyhock leaves already showed the beginning of the eclipse.

厚紙に開けた直径約1.5 mm の穴を通して、針穴写真機の原理で、別の厚紙の上に写した太陽の形。7:26頃。予め調べておかなかったので、この穴の大きさが最適かどうか分からない。厚紙を持っているのは妻の手。
Using the principle of the pinhole camera, we saw the appearance of the sun on a cardboard through a holes of a diameter of about 1.5 mm drilled into another cardboard, around 7:26 am. We did not check the optimal size of the hole in advance, so that we did not know whether the above size was appropriate. The hand that holds a cardboard is my wife's.

同上の方法で撮った太陽の形。7:29頃。トリミングし、コントラストを強くした。シャープさが不足しているが、材料費0円の観測としては、この程度の結果で満足しなければならない。
Appearance of the sun taken around 7:29 am, by the same manner as written above. The photo was trimmed, and enhancement of contrast was applied. Although it lacks sharpness, material, we should be contented with this poor result gotten by ¥0.00 for materials and labor costs and by 0 days for preparation.

同上。7:30頃。
Same as above, around 7:30 am.

同上。7:32頃。
Same as above, around 7:32 am.

同上。7:34頃。
Same as above, around 7:34 am.

太陽はまだ、かなり大きく欠けているが、北西方面はこのように明るい。
The sun is still eclipsed quite largely, but the scenery in the northwest direction is bright, around 7:35 am.