A Safe View of a Solar Eclipse
Have your viewer at the ready on April 8
A Solar Eclipse is one of the most exciting celestial events we can observe. It’s captured the imagination, provoked fear and changed the course of history.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself along the path of totality, the moon will completely cover the sun, which will allow you to see the corona, the sun’s atmosphere.
Outside of the path of totality, you can still enjoy the partial phase of the Solar Eclipse, but you will need to use an eye protector or have an eclipse-viewing device for indirect viewing. Enjoy this rare experience, but always view the partial phase safely. Here is step-by-step guide to create an eclipse viewing device that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
Make Your Own Eclipse Cereal Box Viewer
Eclipse Cereal Box Viewer
- An empty cereal box
- Heavy-duty foil
- White cardboard Construction paper (any color)
- Scissors
- Small nail
- Tape or glue
- Markers/pictures used for the design of the box (optional)
- Cut a piece of cardboard that will fit snuggly in the bottom of the box, or secure it permanently by gluing it in place.
- Cut the top of the cereal box, removing both ends and leaving the center intact.
- Put a piece of tape across the center of the top to securely hold it closed.
- Tape a piece of heavy-duty foil or double a single layer for additional strength, covering one of the openings at the top of the cereal box. The other opening will remain open for viewing (see photo).
- Using a small nail (approximately 3 mm in diameter), push a hole in the foil. The actual size is not critical; you can experiment with different sizes and shapes.
- Cover the entire box with construction paper, leaving the single viewing opening and the foil uncovered. Decorate your box by drawing, taping or gluing images onto the construction paper’s surface.
The finished box should be held with the pin-hole side facing the sun. It may take a little practice pointing the box. With your back facing the sun, look through the viewing opening. A small image of the sun, about ½ centimeter in diameter, can be seen projected on the white paper inside the box — throughout the partial eclipse it will look like a crescent.
Remember: Never look directly at the sun! Discover and learn more about the wonders of eclipses at science.nasa.gov.
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Be prepared for the eclipse
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