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How to make solar eclipse glasses, cereal box viewers and pinhole cameras to watch the 2024 show safely
If you can’t get your hands on a pair of solar eclipse glasses, experts say there are still ways to enjoy the event safely.
There are also unsafe alternatives, including wearing your normal sunglasses — or even stacking two or three.
“There’s no amount of sunglasses that people can put on that will make up for the filtering that the ISO standard filters and the eclipse glasses provide,” said Dr. Jason P. Brinton, an ophthalmologist and medical director at Brinton Vision in St. Louis.
You also shouldn’t look at the eclipse through a camera lens, phone, binoculars or telescope, according to NASA, even while wearing eclipse glasses. The solar rays can burn through the lens and cause serious eye injury.
So what can you use? Here’s what doctors suggest:
How to make your own eclipse-safe glasses at home
If you don’t have the traditional solar eclipse glasses, Brinton said you can also look through No. 14 welder’s glasses (for people who may have access) or aluminized mylar plastic sheets.
Just like with traditional solar eclipse glasses, Brinton said it’s important to make sure the material you’re viewing through is fully intact.
“Make sure that there are no scratches or damage,” he said.
How make a pinhole projector for safe eclipse viewing
No glasses? Indirect viewing is another way to enjoy the eclipse without damaging your eyes.
Brinton said there are several ways to indirectly view the event, including a homemade pinhole projector. Here’s how to make one:
- Put a small pinhole into a piece of paper
- Face away from the sun, holding the paper out so the sunlight hits it
- Watch the pinhole projection of the sun on the ground (or on a second piece of paper you hold underneath), seeing it go from a complete circle gradually disappearing
“If you’re in the path of totality, of course it completely disappears.” Brinton said. “That’s an indirect way of viewing it that is appropriate.”
How to make an eclipse viewer from a cereal box
If you want to make your indirect viewing tool a bit more elaborate, you can make an eclipse viewer with a few more materials around the house. Here’s how:
- Find a small box (popular options are cereal and shoe boxes)
- Cut two openings at the bottom of the box
- Using tape, cover one of the openings with a piece of paper or aluminum foil punctured with a small pinhole
- Face away from the sun, allowing the light to hit the pinhole
- Looking through the remaining opening to the inside of the box, watch as the sun projection goes from a complete circle to an eclipse
Ray Petelin
Need a visual? CBS Pittsburgh meteoroligist Ray Petelin demonstrated an easy step-by-step on how to make a cereal box pinhole viewer, which you can watch below.
Doctors share how to make sure your eclipse viewers are safe
“Theoretically, since you are not looking directly to the sun during the eclipse or partial eclipse, (eclipse viewers) should be safe,” said Dr. Yehia Hashad, an ophthalmologist, retinal specialist and the chief medical officer at eye health company Bausch + Lomb. “However, having said that, it’s implementation that sometimes makes us worry.”
Why? Sometimes people have a small peek at the sun in order to adjust the box or pinhole in the right direction, he said. This can be especially common with children, who may not understand the consequences of looking at the eclipse.
“This is what makes us sometimes conservative about this method,” said Hashad. “We always worry, unless you are supervising the implementation of this, especially with children since they are very vulnerable to these types of situations.”
Why do you need a special viewer for the total solar eclipse?
Eye protection during the eclipse is important to prevent eye damage.
“If someone briefly looks at the eclipse if it’s extremely brief, in some cases there won’t be damaged but damage can happen even within a fraction of a second in some cases,” Brinton said. “As an ophthalmologist, I have seen patients who have so-called eclipse or solar retinopathy.”
Signs and symptoms of eye damage following an eclipse viewing include headaches, blurred vision, dark spots, changes to how you see color, lines and shapes.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
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A new Barbie has joined Mattel’s lineup of inclusive dolls. The first “Diwali doll” was announced by the toymaker on Friday, a few weeks shy of the Hindu holiday of Diwali, also known as the festival of lights.
The festival, which lasts for five days, is marked on Western calendars to begin on Nov. 1, but some celebrations start on Oct. 31.
The doll, created in collaboration with fashion designer Anita Dongre, features traditional elements including the lehenga skirt, floral print and golden shoes, according to Mattel’s website. The doll is available at major retailers for $40.
“The look is infused with beauty and symbolism to rejoice in victory of light over darkness with contemporary silhouettes,” the description reads for the Diwali doll.
Lalit Agarwal, country manager for Mattel India, said in a news release that through the Diwali doll, the brand is hoping to showcase “India’s vibrant cultural heritage on a global stage while continuing to celebrate the power and beauty of diversity.”
Earlier this year, Mattel announced the first-ever blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome.
In addition, to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Barbie’s 65th birthday on March 9, the doll brand announced it was adding new dolls to its Role Models collection, based on real-life singers and actresses from around the world. They’re not for sale – a one-of-a-kind doll was made for each of the honored women.
The dolls are meant to introduce “girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything,” according to Mattel.
