How to watch tonight’s solar eclipse without glasses
A major solar spectacle will be visible across the UK today, but you may have heard that specialist eclipse glasses are needed to watch it safely. If you haven’t managed to get your hands on a pair, don’t worry, there are other ways to experience the eclipse.
People in the UK will be able to see a partial eclipse and it is the country’s most significant eclipse since 1999. Parts of Spain, Greenland and Iceland will see the full solar eclipse while the UK will see a partial eclipse.
As the excitement builds ahead of Wednesday evening, experts have warned the public against looking directly at the Sun without specialist glasses. Looking directly at the giant hot ball of gas in our solar system can seriously damage your eyesight.
Experts have also said that wearing sunglasses or dark goggles won’t be enough to protect our eyes from the sun as they often don’t have enough UV protection.
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Shops across the country have already reported being sold out of the specialist glasses and most online orders probably won’t arrive in time.
It will begin shortly after 18:00 BST, with the eclipse reaching its peak between 19:02 BST and 19:16 BST.
But you may be able to safely watch the eclipse by using some household items. It's time to raid the kitchen!
Empty cereal box
This item you may already have in your kitchen can help you catch an impressive glimpse of the solar eclipse this evening.
You can transform this cardboard box into a pinhole viewer. You’ll need an empty cereal box, tin foil, sticky tape and something sharp to poke a hole through the foil, such as a pin.
How to make
- Cut a piece of paper so it fits inside the bottom of the box.
- Open the box and tape the paper to the bottom. This will be your screen.
- Close the box and tape it shut.
- On one half of the top, cut out a small square so you can see the paper inside.
- On the other half, cut out another small square.
- Cut a piece of foil large enough to cover the second square.
- Tape the foil over the square.
- Use a pin or needle to make a small hole in the middle of the foil.
How to view
- Stand with your back to the Sun.
- Look through the open square with one eye.
- Line up the hole in the foil with the Sun.
- You should see an image of the Sun on the paper screen at the bottom of the box.
- The eclipse will appear on this screen too.
Colander
The same kitchen item you use to strain veg could help you view the historic solar eclipse. You’ll need one colander and a blank piece of paper to make it work.
How to make and view the eclipse
- Take a colander and a piece of blank paper.
- Stand with your back to the Sun and protect your eyes.
- Hold the colander up so sunlight passes through the holes.
- Hold the piece of paper behind the colander.
- Look at the paper, not directly at the Sun.
- You should see many small images of the Sun appear on the paper.
- During an eclipse, the images will show the shape of the eclipsed Sun.
- The many images can create a kaleidoscope effect.
Pinhole projector
You’ll need paper or piece of card and a pen for this one.
How to make and view the eclipse
- Use the tip of a ballpoint pen to make a hole in the centre of the card.
- Hold the card in one hand and a blank piece of paper in the other. Face away from the Sun.
- Line up the card and paper until you can see an image of the Sun on the paper.
- The pinhole projector will show the shadow of the eclipse on the Sun in miniature.
Greg Harris