The August 2017 solar eclipse will have the moon passing in front of the sun, causing it to look like day time at 2pm. You’ll want eye protection for this event though because staring at an eclipse without protection could cause serious damage. To make your own eye protection, all you need are some cardboard paper boxes and aluminum foil.
Make A Shoe Box Solar Eclipse Viewer
Things You’ll Need
- A shoebox (or similarly sized container)
- Scissors or a box cutter
- Foil
- Paper
- Clear tape (we recommend clear, but you can use whatever color you want)
- pins or tacks
6 Steps To Make Solar Eclipse Viewer
Step 1: Cut a square hole in the lower right corner of the long side of the box
This will be used to look into the box. Make sure that the hole is big enough to see through, but avoid letting too much light shine onto the white paper inside. Tape a piece of foil over this hole as well.
Step 2: Cut a square hole in the bottom of the shoe box.
Make sure it is big enough to fit your face through, and try to make it as centered as possible.
Step 3: Tape the foil over the hole.
Tape a piece of paper to the foil. Tape a smaller piece of paper over that paper. Tape a piece of foil over the second sheet. Repeat this until you have covered the hole 3 or 4 layers thick.
Step 4: Poke a hole through the center of the foil
Use a pin or tack to make a small hole in the center of the foil, and then poke all the way through.
Step 5: Tape the white paper on the inside of the box
The white paper should be placed on the outside of the container to collect the light, and be taped to the inside of the box. Cut a rectangle (or other shape) out of it that is large enough for your head to go through, and then tape it to the inside of the box. The foil paper should be laid on top of this paper.
Step 6: Hang it outside and look into it during an eclipse
The sun will shine through the pinhole, and you should be able to see the sun’s crescent shape on your paper. Enjoy!
Why Do You Need Solar Eclipse Viewer?
It is easy to look at the sun without eye protection, but looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyes. If you live in some parts of the world, you won’t be able to see the eclipse. Using Solar Eclipse Viewer is a cheaper and safer alternative to staring at the sun.
What Is Solar Eclipse?
The sun is the source of light on Earth. The sun’s light makes life possible, and it also provides light. It can cause blindness if too much sunlight directly hits the eyes. The phenomenon that occurs during a solar eclipse is this: The moon passes in front of the sun, blocking its brightness and causing a lunar shadow to be cast over Earth’s surface. This shadow is sometimes called a “eclipse”.
One of the most famous solar eclipses was the one that took place on June 30th, 1918, which was described as a total eclipse, or “totality”, for parts of North America and Asia. The shadow that the moon casts on Earth during the eclipse is called a lunar penumbra, and it can be seen as a dark area around the edge of the sun.
When is The Next Solar Eclipse?
The next solar eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017. This solar eclipse will start at 11:23 AM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The total eclipse will last for 2 minutes and 41 seconds, beginning at this time.
How Does Solar Eclipse Effect?
Looking directly into the sun without eye protection can cause severe temporary blindness and permanent blindness if it’s long enough. It is also dangerous to assume that the moon will cover the sun so you can look at it without eye protection.
How To Protect Your Eyes During Solar Eclipse?
From NASA’s article on how to protect your eyes during eclipse
The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters designed for this purpose. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight.
FAQs
Is it good to watch solar eclipse?
Yes, it is safe to watch. But please remember to use eye protection.
Why do you need a solar eclipse viewer?
The reason we need a solar eclipse viewer is to protect our eyes from the sun direct light. Eye protection can provide us with the necessary eyewear for safely viewing the sun during an eclipse and can if taken prevent permanent eye damage and/or blindness.
What is the best way to view a solar eclipse?
The best way to view a solar eclipse, whether you are in the path of totality or not, is through professional-grade solar filter glasses. Solar filter glasses are designed to reduce harmful direct sunlight, allowing safe viewing.
What is the effect of looking at the weather during eclipse?
Solar Eclipses can be very dangerous to look at if you are not using proper eye protection. It is recommended that you do not look at any parts of the sun during an eclipse.
Is watching solar eclipse harmful?
Yes, even looking at eclipse without solar eclipse viewer can cause permanent eye damages.
How to protect your eyes during solar eclipse?
If you are going to watch the solar eclipse, it’s best to use a pair of solar filter glasses to ensure that you don’t damage your eyes and/or give yourself permanent eye damage.
Where can I find a Solar Eclipse Glasses and where can I buy them?
You can buy glasses from companies like Tanit and Eclipse Shades.