Pinhole projector quality

[virtualpilot45]

Realistically, how much solar detail would I be able to see with a homemade pinhole projector?

[Telrad]

hmm, good question. I was considering making a pin hole mirror projector last year, sadly I never found time.

[markt]

Image size will be dependant on projection distance - the bigger the distance, the bigger the image, but unless you use a lens it's going to be pretty small...

[Crunchard]

You could always ask this guy

http://www.davewise.biz/index.html

I had a lecture from him last year ... or was it the year before now ... he trekked around Egypt & Israel using his trusty pinhole.

Really nice guy and may have an opinion on the subject.

His photos were very atmospheric.

[Peter Drew]

I've managed to see a large sunspot with pinhole projection although the focus and contrast was somewhat lacking. You would certainly be able to discern the phases of an eclipse of the Sun.

[fwm891]

The Sun is approx 1/2º in diameter so you can draw to scale an arrangement that will produce the image size you need. (Light from the Sun will diverge at that 1/2º angle after passing through your pinhole) Image brightness and contrast are related to the size of the pinhole. Large pinhole brighter image - poor contrast less detail. Small pinhole, dim image - better contrast, better detail...