12/08/2026
Did you know you can make your own pinhole projector to watch the solar eclipse?
Materials Needed:
Cardboard box: A long shoe box or shipping box works best.
White paper: A clean sheet to act as your screen.Aluminum foil: A small square piece to create the pinhole.
Tape: Masking, duct, or Scotch tape to hold pieces.Pin or needle: To punch a tiny, clean hole.
Scissors: To cut openings in the cardboard box.
Tape the white piece of paper flat against the inside bottom or far end of the cardboard box. This serves as the screen where the image of the sun will appear.
On the opposite end of the box, cut out two square holes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. Place one hole on the left side and one on the right side.
Cover one of the square holes completely with a piece of aluminum foil. Secure the edges tightly with tape so no stray light leaks through.
Use a pin or needle to poke a tiny, clean hole right through the center of the foil. Do not make the hole too large, or the projected image will be blurry
How to Use It
Stand with your back facing the sun.
Hold the box so the foil side points directly at the sun behind you.
Peer through the open, uncovered hole into the box.
Adjust your angle until you see a bright, inverted circle of light projected onto the white paper inside.
