Although you can't stare directly at the 2024 solar eclipse (or any other solar eclipse) outside the narrow window of totality, you can make eclipse glasses and watch it happen. It's time to prepare for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. You don't want to miss it. Who doesn't love a fun art project that everyone can do together?
It's an exciting time for science fans, as this will be the last total solar eclipse for much of the United States for the next 20 years. But you want to make sure you're ready to see the eclipse and don't end up like Donald Trump, who just stared at it. do not have You should do it so that it is good in your own eyes. So let's talk about some fun ways to make and enjoy your own solar eclipse glasses.
First, you need materials to make glasses. You can use old 3D glasses or something with interchangeable lenses if you have them on hand, but if you don't, you'll need:
- Poster board or cardstock.
- Glasses template (instructables has great printable templates).
- A solar filter. (Make sure the brand is approved by NASA.)
- blue painter's tape.
- scissors.
- pen.
From there you can start creating your glasses. It's very simple. You can use 3D glasses frames like I mentioned earlier, or you can use poster board/card stock to trace the glasses template. Once you've traced it, all you have to do is cut it out. For 3D glasses, you just need to do the next part, the lenses.
Next, cut the solar film to completely cover the lens part of the glasses. In reality, the overlap is good, so try cutting it a little larger than the lens shape. Then use the tape you have on hand to attach it to the frame! Test your glasses in a dark room using a flashlight or other light source to make sure the light isn't entering in a harmful direction.
Then the glasses are completed. But there are other ways to view the eclipse.
How to make a solar eclipse projector
If you're interested in box seating, you can even create a literal box seat where you can safely view the eclipse. The viewfinder is made from some sort of old box (a shoe box usually works well) and requires aluminum foil, white paper, tape, pins or needles, and a box cutter or X-Acto knife. Cut out a small square near the top of the box. Next, cover the hole with aluminum foil. Make a hole in the center.
Inside the opposite box, tape the white paper to the opposite wall. Then, adjacent to the white paper, cut out another small square wide, which will serve as a peephole. NASA has a helpful diagram.
Prepare for the magic of a solar eclipse in a safe way! And maybe afterward, watch little shop of horrors to remind myself do not have Buying plants after a solar eclipse.
(Featured image: BBC)
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