DIY Pinhole viewer for the Eclipse
Many places have sold out of the glasses, and it turns out a lot of these glasses aren’t even certified!
So I found a web page with this nifty little solar eclipse help!
DIY: Simple Card Projector
The simplest and quickest way to safely project the Sun is with a projector made from only 2 pieces of card or paper.
2 pieces of stiff white cardboard, e.g. 2 paper plates
alternatively, 2 sheets of plain white paper
a thumbtack, a sharp pin, or a needle
To make a quick version of the pinhole projector, take a sheet of paper and make a tiny hole in the middle of it using a pin or a thumbtack. Make sure that the hole is round and smooth.
With your back towards the Sun, hold 1 piece of paper above your shoulder allowing the Sun to shine on the paper.
The 2nd sheet of paper will act as a screen. Hold it at a distance, and you will see an inverted image of the Sun projected on the paper screen through the pinhole.
To make the image of the Sun larger, hold the screen paper further away from the paper with the pinhole.
A box projector works on the same principles, it requires a little more time and a few extra items to construct, but it is more sturdy.
Never look at the Sun directly without protective eye gear. Even sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from the damage the Sun's rays can do to them.
Always keep your back towards the Sun while looking at a pinhole projection.
Do not look at the Sun through the pinhole, binoculars or telescope.
Topics: Astronomy, Eclipses, Sun