NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. — With the solar eclipse just two days away, people in Central New York are getting ready to witness the celestial event. However, one man is approaching this experience in a distinctive manner. John Landers, interviewed by CNY Central, is showcasing his creativity in a unique way as he prepares to view the eclipse.
While many individuals will be craning their necks to gaze at the sky during the eclipse, Landers decided to take a different route to ensure a comfortable and close-up view of the event. He shared, “I was a curious child who enjoyed disassembling objects to understand how they worked. This trait led me to create new things, just like what I did here by gathering household items to address my viewing concern for the eclipse.”
Landers ingeniously crafted two devices that will project the eclipse image into his front yard. Describing the first one, he explained, “It essentially utilizes binoculars to project an enlarged image of the sun onto a display board, making it much easier to observe.” The second device acts like a telescope, capturing a small beam of sunlight through a pinhole, which then reflects onto a mirror and projects an image of the sun.
Upon completing his inventions, Landers was amazed by the results, expressing, “The outcome was truly astonishing. I was surprised by the effectiveness of these devices, considering they are made from basic materials that many people likely have at home.” Additionally, he constructed a third telescope that reflects the sun’s image into a cereal box.
Driven by his passion for celestial events and with the eclipse approaching, Landers saw an opportunity to employ his creative skills. He noted, “This event is a rare occurrence, and I wanted to maximize my experience by using my crafting abilities.” He is enthusiastic about the eclipse and is eager to showcase his inventions to his neighbors, allowing them to witness the event in a unique way.