Didn’t make it to the library for a pair of eclipse glasses? Still want to experience the eclipse? Check out Boston Makers’s Eclipse Viewer, designed by Vinnie Zoutenbier, and perfect for viewing with a group of friends!
Simply print the PDF and cut out the individual viewers (or, like we did, load the file into your laser cutter software and laser cut out of the wood or cardboard of your choice) and experiment!
How does it work?
This eclipse viewer is a very basic pinhole camera. Put simply, it will block out all the light from the sun except for enough to make a clear image on the paper.
Hold the pinhole in front of your face at about eye-level, and aim at a blank piece of paper about a foot below that so light can come through the pinhole and project the sun onto the paper. Test that you know how to use the viewer before the eclipse. You can “image” the full sun in daylight, or stand under a tall streetlight at night and look for the light bulb on the paper, to test how it works.
Here are a few tips on using the eclipse viewer:
– Holding the paper further away from the pin hole creates a larger image, but the image gets dimmer
– A larger pinhole in the foil will create a brighter image, but it makes the image less clear. The diameter of a sewing pin is a good size for the hole.
– Remember to never look directly at the sun, and have fun!
When does the solar eclipse start in Boston? Plan your eclipse viewing here.