Reliable paper-framed glasses are in high demand for safely viewing the total solar eclipse, but they may be difficult to find in some locations leading up to the event. However, there are alternative ways to safely watch the eclipse using household items. One option is to use your hands to create a projection of the eclipse by positioning one hand over the other at a 90-degree angle with fingers open slightly. This method can also be done with items like a straw hat, strainer, cheese grater, or perforated spoon.
Another option is to set up a cardstock screen by punching a small hole in the middle of an index card or cardstock paper and allowing sunlight to stream through the hole onto a second card positioned as a screen. The spacing between the cards can be adjusted to make the projected image of the sun larger or smaller. If you’re feeling crafty, you can make a box projector using a cardboard box, aluminum foil, white paper, tape, scissors, and a pin. By cutting two rectangular holes in the box and positioning the box with the foil-covered pinhole facing away from the sun, you can create a projection of the sun onto the piece of paper inside the box.
These makeshift pinhole projectors offer a safe and creative way to view the eclipse without the need for specialized glasses. However, during totality, when the moon completely covers the sun, it is safe to view the eclipse directly with the naked eye. It’s important to remember not to look at the sun as soon as it reappears following totality, as this can cause eye damage. Using these simple household items, you can enjoy the stunning celestial event of a total solar eclipse even if you weren’t able to find paper-framed glasses. So gather your materials and get ready to witness the magic of nature in a safe and creative way.
