How do I simulate a solar eclipse?

Open this page and use the live Telescope Optics tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a solar eclipse from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Telescope Optics

Telescope Optics for a solar eclipse

Simulate a solar eclipse live in your browser. This runs the real Telescope Optics solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Telescope OpticsLive

resolution · magnification · light grasp

Controls

Presets

Aperture (mm)

Objective focal length (mm)

Eyepiece focal length (mm)

Wavelength (nm)

Aperture rules everything: resolving power is θ = 1.22·λ/D (Rayleigh criterion), light-gathering scales as D², and the faintest visible star climbs with aperture. Magnification is just objective focal length divided by eyepiece focal length — and is useless beyond what the aperture can resolve.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Resolution0.69″

Magnification120×

Light vs eye816×

Limiting mag14.2

Governing equation

M = \frac{f _{o}}{f _{e}} = 120 \times, θ = \frac{1.22 λ}{D} = 0.6 9^{''}, grasp \propto D^{2}

Reading this result: Well matched: 120× sits under the 400× ceiling, so the 0.69″ resolving power of this aperture actually shows real detail.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Telescope Optics tool models a solar eclipse with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Telescope Optics

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Other ways to simulate a solar eclipse

Exoplanet Transit for a solar eclipse H-R Diagram for a solar eclipse Lagrange Points for a solar eclipse Roche Limit for a solar eclipse Hubble's Law for a solar eclipse Stellar Parallax for a solar eclipse

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a solar eclipse?: Open this page and use the live Telescope Optics tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a solar eclipse from your own measurements.