We've all heard by now that a rare total solar eclipse is coming in 2024. And people are excited.
While cities prepare for traffic, schools prepare for absenteeism and space enthusiasts plan parties, glasses that allow you to safely view the solar eclipse are a hot commodity.
Looking directly into a total solar eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent damage to the eyes, experts have warned, and glasses are essential for viewing safely. However, as the day approaches, it can become harder to find.
Fortunately, those who couldn't get glasses aren't completely down. Experts say there are other safe ways to view the eclipse, many of which require a little craftiness and items you might have lying around your house.
Here are some DIY solar eclipse viewers you can make at home.
Just to be clear, these options won't allow you to directly view the eclipse. For that you need special eclipse glasses.
Solar eclipse guide:When is the total solar eclipse in 2024? Glasses guide, weather forecast, and where to see it.
NASA DIY Cereal Box Viewer
This NASA project uses components that you will almost certainly have at home. You can assemble this projection solar eclipse viewer using cereal boxes, cardboard, foil, paper, scissors, tape or glue.
As always, NASA advises against using this tool to look directly at the Sun.
Steps to create a serial box Eclipse viewer:
- Take an empty, clean cereal box.
- Cut a piece of white cardboard to fit snugly on the bottom of the box or glue it in place to secure it permanently.
- Cut the top of the cereal box and remove the ends, leaving the center intact.
- Apply tape to the center of the top to keep it tightly closed.
- Cover one of the openings at the top of the cereal box with heavy-duty foil, either taped or double with a single layer for added strength. The other opening will remain open for viewing.
- Use a small nail (about 3 mm in diameter) to make a hole in the foil.
- Cover the entire box with construction paper, leaving the opening and foil uncovered for one viewing.
How to use DIY viewer:
- Hold the finished box with the pinhole side facing the sun. Pointing to the box may take a little practice.
- Turn your back to the sun and look through the peephole. You will see a small image of the sun, about 1/2 cm in diameter, projected onto the white paper inside the box.
Watch the demo here:
Planetary Society DIY Paper Viewer
Planetary Society also offers, in their words, more “fancy” instructions for box viewers and projector viewers, but none are easier than a simple pinhole paper projector.
All you need to make them is two index cards for each person (3×5, A6, or A7 size) or a small paper plate and some basic thumbtacks. Just use a thumbtack to punch a small hole near the center of one of his cards and you're done.
Is there a super easy version that doesn't require any crafting? It's a kitchen colander. You can easily view the solar eclipse in the same way as any other projector viewer using a regular kitchen colander. The circular hole in the colander projects the image of the sun's crescent moon onto the ground.
To create a “fancy” version, use two index cards for each person (large 5×7 or A5 cards work well) or small paper plates, pencils, thumbtacks, towels, sweatshirts, and blankets. Is required. , place a flattened cardboard box, carpet, or other soft substrate under the card as you press the pins.
To create a fancier version:
- Draw a simple design on the card.Be careful not to draw the lines too close together
- Place the card on something soft (blanket, towel, etc.).
- Use a push pin to make small holes along the design lines. Don't get too close, keep around 5 millimeters (1/4 inch) away.
To use this, you must avoid looking directly at the sun.
- Go to your eclipse viewing location and make sure you can clearly see the shadow on your head and shoulders.
- Lift the card so that the hole is above your shoulder so that the shadow of the card is visible above the shadow of your shoulder.
- Next, hold up the other card and make sure you can see its shadow as well.
- Move the second card and observe how its shadow moves. Keeping the cards in front of you, move the second card's shadow until it overlaps the first card's shadow.
- Now look at the second card. You should see a dot appear on the card for each hole you punch. These points are actually images of the sun.
Watch the demo here:
Cardboard or paper tube solar eclipse viewer
Sticking with the theme of using easily available items around the house, you can create a tube viewer using cardboard tubes of household items such as paper towels or toilet paper rolls. You can also make your own tubes by rolling and taping thick cardstock.
To make this, you'll need a cardboard tube, white paper, aluminum foil, tape, a thumbtack, or something sharp to make small holes. According to Let's Talk Science, you can: Combine this viewer with the following steps:
- Draw the opening of the tube on the white paper. Draw a slightly larger circle around it. Cut around the larger circle. Cut a small slit in the inner circle.
- Create an observation window by cutting an opening near one end of the tube.
- Tape a round piece of paper to the end of the tube near the viewing window.
- Cut a piece of aluminum foil slightly larger than the opening of the tube.
- Make a small hole in the center of the aluminum foil.
- Tape aluminum foil to the other opening of the tube.
How to use the viewer:
- With your back to the sun, keep the tube parallel to the sun's orbit. Let's take a look through the peephole. Move the viewer until you see a small white circle on the paper.
See example below.