How to Make Eclipse Glasses Step-by-Step Guide

If you don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses to view the solar eclipse, don’t worry! You can easily make a safe and simple DIY eclipse viewer using a Cardboard frame, Cereal Box, and a few household craft supplies. 

This homemade pinhole projector will allow you to safely watch the eclipse by projecting the sun’s image onto a surface inside the box, avoiding any direct eye exposure to harmful solar rays.

This blog will provide the different ways, materials required, and the proper instructions. 

Let’s get started,

What Are Eclipse Glasses?

Eclipse glasses are specially designed eyewear that allows you to safely view a solar eclipse by filtering out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and intense visible light. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient for protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse, as they do not block enough light. Eclipse glasses are made from a material that reduces sunlight to a safe level, allowing you to watch the event without damaging your eyes.

Related: Why Does Solar Eclipse Appear? the Secret Behind It

How to Make Eclipse Glasses Using a Cardboard Frame?

While it’s generally recommended to purchase certified eclipse glasses for the best protection, you can make a basic version at home if you cannot buy them. However, this DIY version should be used with caution and only as a last resort.

Materials Needed

• A pair of cardboard glasses (you can use an old pair of 3D glasses as the frame).
• A sheet of Number 14 welder’s glass (this is the only material recommended for safe solar viewing if you can’t get eclipse glasses).
• Scissors.
• Tape or glue.

Instructions To be Followed

1. Prepare the Frame

• If using old 3D glasses, remove the existing lenses from the cardboard frame. If you don’t have a frame, you can create one by cutting out a template from cardboard that fits over your eyes like regular glasses.

2. Cut the Welder’s Glass

• Using scissors, carefully cut the welder’s glass to the size of the lens openings in your frame. Ensure the pieces are large enough to completely cover your eyes.

3 . Attach the Glass to the Frame

• Secure the welder’s glass to the frame using tape or glue. Make sure the glass is firmly in place and covers the entire eye area without gaps.

4. Check the Fit

• Ensure the glasses fit comfortably on your face, and the welder’s glass stays securely in place when you wear them.

5. Test the Glasses

• Before using your homemade eclipse glasses to view the sun, test them by looking at a bright light source. If you see any light leaks or the glass seems too bright, do not use them for viewing the eclipse.

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Way 2: How to Make an Eclipse Viewer with a Cereal Box?

A pinhole projector made from a cereal box is a simple and safe way to view a solar eclipse. This method projects an image of the sun onto a surface, allowing you to see the eclipse without directly looking at the sun.

Materials Needed

• Empty cereal box (or any rectangular box)
• White paper
• Aluminum foil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Pin or needle
• A piece of plain paper
• A marker or pen

Instructions To be Followed

1. Prepare the Cereal Box

• Cut a rectangular piece of white paper to fit the bottom of the inside of the cereal box. This paper will serve as the screen where the sun’s image is projected.
• Tape the white paper securely inside the box, on the bottom side.

2. Cover One End of the Box

• On the top of the box (where it opens), cut two small square holes on each side of the opening. These holes should be about 1 inch wide and on opposite sides of the top flap.
• Cover one of the holes with a piece of aluminum foil. Tape the foil securely over the hole to ensure there are no gaps.

3. Create the Pinhole

• Use a pin or needle to poke a small hole in the center of the aluminum foil. This pinhole will allow sunlight to enter the box and project an image of the sun.

4. Seal the Box

• Close the top of the box and tape it shut. Make sure the two holes you made are unobstructed: one with the pinhole (covered by foil) and the other open.

Viewing the Eclipse

• Stand with your back to the sun, holding the cereal box in front of you.
• Look through the open hole (the one without the foil) while pointing the pinhole at the sun.
• The sunlight will pass through the pinhole and project an image of the sun onto the white paper inside the box. You’ll see a small, clear image of the eclipse on the paper.

Safety Tips For You!

1. Certified Eclipse Glasses

Whenever possible, use eclipse glasses that are certified by ISO standards. These are specifically tested for solar viewing as homemade versions may not offer the necessary protection against harmful solar radiation.

2. Welder’s Glass

If you choose to use welder’s glass, make sure it is at least shade 14, which is safe for direct solar viewing.

3. Do Not Use

Do not use regular sunglasses, photographic film, x-ray film, or any other untested materials to view the sun, as they do not provide adequate protection and could result in serious eye damage.

4. Avoid Improvised Materials

Materials like sunglasses, CDs, DVDs, or smoked glass should never be used for eclipse viewing, as they do not block enough light and can cause serious eye damage.

5. Test First

Always test your homemade glasses by looking at a bright light source before using them during an eclipse. If you see any discomfort or light leakage, or the light isn’t sufficiently dimmed, do not use them for eclipse viewing.

Try and enjoy a rewarding hands-on experience!