For a few months I was aware of the solar eclipse due to take place on Wednesday 12th August 2026.
As I would be away with all my family I decided that I would purchase from Amazon a box of solar glasses.
The box of twelve glasses also contained two solar filters that could be placed in front of a phone lens.
It cost me £14.95
If you’ve read my other articles about the Dwarf Mini and my astrophotography you will know how capable this device is.
The main challenge of filming a solar eclipse is finding the right position that allows for the sun to still be visible before disappearing behind buildings.
I found a spot that faced an open plot being developed and where the buildings were relatively low.
I set up the Dwarf Mini easily with its solar filter covering the lens and set it to track the sun. I placed the scope on top of a telephone cabinet made of concrete.
I set it to just time-lapse so that I would capture as much of the event as possible.
Once that was done I pulled out the pack of solars glasses and started to unpack and thread string through them ready for the children and family to arrive.
What I had not anticipated was the image I was suddenly creating.
It was like honey to bees.
All around me suddenly people were asking could they buy my solar glasses .. of course I said no and that they were specifically for my family.
As the solar eclipse started more and more people hovered around me seeing the eclipse on my phone .. some begged for me to sell the glasses which I declined but freely offered to share my glasses with parents and children so that they too could glimpse this unique spectacle.
Now for those with youngsters you will remember their attention span.
Once the novelty of seeing the eclipse wore off the family wanted to go for dinner.
More and more people begged me for our glasses and suddenly we sold seven pairs at €5 a piece.
I came away with half a box of solars glasses and €35 towards dinner.
I was not expecting it to be so profitable!
