Build a Shoebox Pinhole Projection Eclipse Viewer

The pinhole projection system can easily be constructed using a shoebox (reference figures 1 and 2). Choose the largest shoebox you can find.

1. Tape the top onto the box.
2. In one end of the box cut 2 to 3 inches off the top.
3. Inside the box on this end tape a piece of white paper. The white paper will be the viewing area where the projected image of the Sun will be visible for safe observation. White paper is used to increase the contrast of the image.
4. The most important step of this system is to cut a small hole in the opposite end of the shoebox.
5. Over this hole tape a piece of aluminum foil. Make a pinhole in the foil directly over the hole   that was cut out of the shoebox. The foil is used because a pinhole in it will produce a nice round hole (a pinhole in the cardboard box would be rough and irregular).

Your pinhole projection viewing device is now complete. When it comes time to observe the eclipse, stand with your back to the Sun, place the shoebox on your shoulder with the pinhole end (E) facing the Sun, and watch the viewing area on the white paper inside the shoebox (C). Reference figure 3. There you will see a bright projected image of the Sun. The image will be small, about 1/4 inch in diameter, but it will be easy to see.

If you desire a larger image, a long-stem rose box could be substituted instead, but the image will only be slightly larger. For example, to produce a 1 inch in diameter image you would need a box about 9 feet long (a little difficult to hold on your shoulder). Regardless of the size of the image, this method is safe because it forces the observer to look in a direction away from the Sun. There is less temptation to continually glance upward at the Sun directly, as other methods tend to do. Viewing the eclipse this way is like watching a movie screen or a slide show. 

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Illustrations by Ruth Flanagan-Gucfa.

Remember, severe eye damage or even blindness can result from looking directly at the Sun. Don't lose your sight to an oversight. Save your eyesight for many of the other spectacular astronomical events that will be visible from time to time.

Keep your eyes to the skies, but keep them protected for this wonderful event!