Unlocking the Solar Eclipse: Using Household Items to Indirectly View a Solar Eclipse
- BY Catherine Ong
- IN Eye Care
Solar eclipses are captivating celestial events, but viewing them directly can cause permanent damage to your eyes. If you don’t have a pair of ISO 12312-2 international safety standard solar eclipse glasses handy, have no fear. In this post, we’ll explore three ingenious ways to turn homemade tools into indirect viewing devices that allow you to experience the wonder of a solar eclipse without jeopardizing your vision.
Important Note: With these tools, it is important to not look at the sun directly, especially during a solar eclipse, as it can cause permanent eye damage.
Photo from Pexels by Stephen Leonardi
1. Paper Pinhole Projector
Crafting a pinhole projector is a simple and safe method to indirectly observe a solar eclipse. Grab two sheets of white paper – one to act as a screen and the other to create a pinhole. With the pinhole sheet of paper, puncture a small hole in the center to allow light to pass through. With your back to the sun, let sunlight pass through the pinhole onto the viewing screen sheet. As the moon forms the eclipse, the projected image will reveal the crescent shape of the eclipsed sun.
2. Shoebox Eclipse Viewer
For a more hands-on approach, consider making a shoebox eclipse viewer. For this viewer, we’ll be using the body of the shoebox, so you can remove the lid. First, cut a rectangular hole at one end of the shoebox and cover it with aluminum foil, securing it with tape. Next, make a small pinhole in the foil. On the inside panel of the wall opposite to your pinhole, attach a piece of paper. Now, position yourself with the sun behind you and hold your shoebox viewer with the open end facing the ground. Place the foil end of the viewer above your line of sight (above your eyebrows). Peer towards the opposite end of the box and on the piece of paper, you’ll be able to witness the solar eclipse’s reflection.
Photo from Pexels by Kampus Production
3. Kitchen Colander Method
An everyday kitchen item can serve as an effective indirect viewing tool. A colander, when held at an angle with sunlight passing through it, projects multiple images of the crescent sun onto a surface. The pattern created by the holes in the colander acts as a natural pinhole projector, allowing you to observe the eclipse safely. Similar to the paper pinhole projector and shoebox eclipse viewer, you want to use the colander with your back towards the sun and project the images onto the ground or a piece of paper.
Photo from Pexels by Los Muertos Crew
While solar eclipses are awe-inspiring events, protecting your eyes should be the top priority. These three simple and inexpensive homemade tools provide a safe and enjoyable way to experience the magic of a solar eclipse. With the next solar eclipse coming up on April 8, share these methods with friends and family, ensuring everyone can witness the celestial spectacle without compromising their vision. Remember, safety first when it comes to viewing solar eclipses!
