There are several ways to view the rare solar eclipse coming up Friday- some of which involve household items including a colander and a mirror.
The total solar eclipse is due to arrive on Friday morning but will only be partial in Lebanon.
However, staring directly at the eclipse with the naked eye can do damage to your eyesight whether it be partial or complete.
Here are 5 ways to look at the solar event safely.
Make a pinhole projector
The most well-known way to stare indirectly at an eclipse is to create your own pinhole viewer. All it takes is a couple of pieces of white card. Use a pin to create a small hole in the center of one of the pieces of card. Stand with your back to the eclipse and hold the perforated piece of card up so it gets the full force of the eclipse.
Then, use the second piece of card as a "screen" in front of you. The eclipse itself will be projected via the pinhole and onto the screen. The image will be inverted, but it will also be safe to look at.
Mirror the eclipse
A household mirror can also be used to view the eclipse. If you cover a small mirror with a piece of paper or card with a hole in it, it will project a pinhole image of the eclipse onto the far wall.
Use a colander
It works in exactly the same way as the first sheet of card in the example above. The holes in the colander will project the images of the eclipse onto a piece of white card or paper held in front of you. Make sure to stand with your back to the sun and hold the colander on your above your shoulder or next to your head.
Grab a bucket
Perhaps the most low-tech way of witnessing the eclipse is to simply fill a bucket with water and look at the reflection.
Also, if you want to get the best shot using only a smartphone, here are some steps to make the most of your smartphone camera during the blackout.
Protect your eyes
Don't look at the Sun directly. This might sound obvious, but it can cause permanent damage to your vision. Wear solar eclipse viewing glasses to be on the safe side.
Play to your smartphone's strengths
Smartphones have a small sensor and a small lens with a very wide angle, so you can't hope to photograph that iconic image of the eclipse. Instead of trying to get that shot, you should capture the environment under the eclipse.
Choose your scenery
If you are in the country look for open fields with a tree-lined horizon or some animals and try to capture how that scene changes completely with the eclipse, keeping the Sun in frame.
Plan ahead
There are plenty of calculators that let you know with certainty where the Sun is going to be at what time. Take some test shots, so that you are ready for the main event.
Get a tripod
If you're going for precise framing or a time-lapse, it's worth investing in a small tripod to keep the camera completely stable.
Make a timelapse
The extraordinary light is what distinguishes an eclipse, so taking multiple stills at regular intervals can capture the entire thing better than any one photo can.
Consider adding a third-party lens
There are a number of accessory lenses you can add onto your smartphone, such as an Olloclip, which act as a mini telephoto lens.
Pray for good weather
If there's full cloud cover, there's not going to be a lot to see.