Can't find eclipse glasses? Here's how to make an eclipse box
Don't have eclipse glasses? No worries – you can still view the eclipse with a do-it-yourself eclipse box.
Across the country stores are selling out of special eclipse-watching glasses viewers need to protect their eyes from the sun. Retailers say many customers appear to have waited until the last minute to buy the glasses — with just days remaining until an eclipse blankets the country in partial or total darkness.
Staring directly at the sun without eclipse glasses or other appropriate eye protection, could result in damage to your retina. Projection is a safe and easy way to view the partial eclipse, and you can build the viewer yourself. It's quick, simple, and a fun project with the kids.
More coverage:
Don't blind yourself. Why you need real (not fake) eclipse glasses on Aug. 21
Still trying to get solar eclipse glasses? Good luck.
You are essentially making a pin hole camera, where the tiny hole projects light onto a screen. The tiny hole interacts with the light in such a way that the hole acts as a tiny lens and projects a focused image.
Materials:
- Cardboard box big enough to stick your head in
- Tape
- Box cutter or scissors
- Empty pop can
- Push pin
- White paper
Directions:
1. Cut a small hole (less than 1 inch by 1 inch) on one of the short sides of the box, preferably higher up and centered.
2. Tape a sheet of white paper on the end opposite the small hole.
3. Cut an empty aluminum pop can using a box cutter or scissors to make a strip of aluminum about 2 inches by 2 inches or a little larger.
4. Put the aluminum strip on a piece of cardboard and carefully puncture it with a thumb tack or push pin. This makes the hole.
5. Center the aluminum strip over the small hole in the cardboard box and tape it down.
6. To use the eclipse box, put your head inside the box (yes, really) with your back to the sun.
7. Orient the box so that the light from the pin hole falls of the white paper and you should see an image of the sun about a centimeter across.
This will show the bite of the moon out of the sun during the eclipse. You can adjust the flaps and tape any holes in the top to keep out as much light as possible.