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To view a total, partial, or annular solar eclipse, you need special glasses to observe this natural spectacle.
Build your own eclipse glasses – what you need
Under no circumstances should you watch an eclipse with the naked eye or with normal sunglasses. Instead, you can build your own special protective glasses using the following materials:
- A long, opaque piece of cardboard
- Measuring tape and pen
- Adhesive tape and scissors
- A certified solar filter (important: certified according to EN ISO 12312-2:2015). Note: Do not use household materials such as aluminum foil or CDs, as these allow harmful rays to pass through. Only use certified solar filters.
- Important note: Homemade glasses without certified film or ordinary sunglasses are not sufficient ! They can cause serious retinal damage – even blindness.
How to make your own eclipse glasses
Since looking directly at a solar eclipse can damage your retina, you should take great care when making the glasses and only use certified materials that protect your eyes. Therefore, proceed as follows:
- First, use a flexible tape measure to measure the distance in centimeters between your left and right ears, passing over your eyes. It is best to ask someone to help you with this. Then add one or two centimeters to your result. Alternatively, download a PDF template for the glasses, such as the one offered by CHIP in its download archive.
- Mark the measured length on a piece of cardboard. Then cut out a cardboard strip approximately five centimeters wide.
- Next, either measure exactly how much space you need for the eyes, nose, and ears, or use the standard sizes: Draw three sections of equal length on your cardboard strip. Example: With a length of 42 centimeters, each section is 14 centimeters long.
- You now have a cardboard strip with two dividing lines in front of you. Measure 3.5 centimeters outwards from each dividing line and mark the points on the two outer sections. Cut out small arcs behind these marks, which will then provide support for your ears.
- Now take the middle section and cut out a roughly two-centimeter-wide arc for the nose in the center. Then draw the space for your eyes to the right and left of this.
- Next, cut out sufficiently large pieces from the EN ISO 12312-2:2015-certified sun protection film so that you can stick them onto the eye cutouts from the inside.
- Finally, bend the arms and test the glasses. They should fit well and not let any light through. Any gaps at the edges must be sealed with tape to prevent stray light from coming through.
- If you have constructed the glasses for the solar eclipse correctly and with certified materials, nothing stands in the way of the next partial solar eclipse, for example.
