Don’t Stare at the Eclipse! Use This DIY Viewing Box Instead

Get Out That Old Shoebox For This DIY Project

Written By: Chelsea Raineri

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that the Solar Eclipse is happening Aug. 21 at 10:15 a.m., and will span across the nation from Oregon to South Carolina. What you may not know, is that even though the sun will be blocked by the moon, you can’t look directly at the eclipse or you can risk damaging your eyes and could even become blind. But, with the right equipment, you can still view the eclipse without losing one of your senses. We created an eclipse viewing box and broke it down for you so you can make one at home as well!

Here’s what you’ll need:
-A shoe box
-Aluminum Foil
-Box Cutter
-Needle or pin
-Tape
-A piece of paper

Step 1

Cut out a small hole about one inch in diameter.

Step 2

Next, take your foil and cut it into a small square, just large enough to cover the hole you just made. Tape it into place.

Step 3

Take your needle and poke a hole in the center of the foil.

Step 4

Cut the paper to fit the opposite side of the foil, and tape it there. It should be directly across from where the hole is so that the light coming through the pinhole will shine directly on the paper.

Step 5

Last but not least, cut a hole adjacent to the piece of paper for your viewing hole. You should be able to look through the viewing hole at an angle and see the piece of paper.

Congratulations! You’ve officially made an eclipse viewing box. When you see the eclipse, align your box with its shadow so it is in line with the beams from the sun. You should see a spot of light on the paper (that’s the sun!) and then you’ll see a shadow come across it when the moon passes over. Bill Nye the Science Guy would be so proud!

Chelsea Raineri

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Born and raised in Orange County, Chelsea is a local through and through. A true foodie at heart, you can find Chelsea face first in a grilled cheese or in line for the latest food craze. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Chapman University, she is excited to bring her passion for writing, editing, and all things trendy to Locale Magazine.