Christopher Hope puts kitchen colander viewing method to the test ahead of biggest solar eclipse in decades

Christopher Hope tried out an unusual method for safely viewing next month's partial solar eclipse after experts suggested using a kitchen colander as a makeshift viewing device.

Speaking to space and planetary scientist Andy Lound, the GB News Political Editor held up a household colander and a sheet of paper in the studio as he attempted to recreate the phenomenon.

The scientist explained that sunlight passing through the colander's holes acts like a pinhole camera, projecting small images of the partially eclipsed Sun onto the paper.

“You never look at the Sun directly,” he warned, adding: “You allow the light to go through the colander, and that'll actually act as a pinhole camera and project images of the Sun onto the piece of paper.”

Chris joked that his first attempt was less successful, quipping: “I'm trying to use a studio light here to form some kind of image. But what I'm getting is Mrs Hope's colander on my piece of paper.”

Mr Loud stressed that people should never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or through ordinary sunglasses, instead recommending the colander trick, a pinhole projection, or certified eclipse glasses.

The UK is set to witness its biggest partial solar eclipse in nearly three decades on August 12, with up to 96 per cent of the Sun expected to be obscured in parts of the country.

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