Astronomer Sadhbh Leahy provided instructions on building a safe solar-eclipse viewer using a common cereal box [1].
Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage. This DIY pinhole projector allows observers to view the event indirectly, ensuring safety for the eyes [1], [2].
The instructions are designed for the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024 [1], [2]. The event was viewable from various locations across the eclipse path, including the U.S. and Ireland [1], [2].
To create the device, a person uses a cereal box to act as a camera obscura. By creating a small hole in one end of the box, the viewer can project an image of the sun onto a surface inside the box. This method avoids the need for specialized solar filters by ensuring the eye never makes direct contact with the solar disk [1].
Leahy, an astronomer at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory, demonstrated the process to highlight accessible ways for the public to engage with astronomy [1]. The pinhole method is a low-cost alternative to commercial eclipse glasses, which must meet specific safety standards to be effective [2].
Experts said that any device used to view the sun must be verified as safe. The cereal box projector is a recognized method for indirect observation, which is the safest way to watch the progression of the moon crossing the sun [1], [2].
“Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage.”
The promotion of indirect viewing methods like pinhole projectors addresses a critical public health concern during astronomical events. By utilizing household items, scientists can increase public participation in science while mitigating the risk of retinal burns caused by improper eyewear or direct exposure.
