Glimpsing the sun through the foliage of trees. Adapting a cereal box for your viewing purposes. Even using a kitchen colander. Come Monday, these are some unique and safe methods to observe the partial solar eclipse.
If you did not have the chance to travel to the path of totality, fear not. Professors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville provide handy tips on how to witness this celestial event in a fun and secure way, wherever you are in Tennessee.
Knoxville is expected to experience a maximum coverage of about 89% of the eclipse around 3:07 p.m. EST, according to eclipse2024.org. The event commences at 1:49 p.m. and concludes at 4:23 p.m.
Nashville and Memphis will witness a maximum coverage of roughly 95% and 97% at 2:03 p.m. CDT and 1:57 p.m. CDT, respectively.
For those unable to travel or secure the special glasses required for viewing, here are seven alternative methods to observe the eclipse.
Creating mini solar eclipses with tree leaves
An entertaining method to see the eclipse is by observing the sunlight penetrating through tree leaves. This forms small projections of the eclipse on the ground as the light filters through spaces between the leaves.
This will allow you to monitor the eclipse’s progress from start to finish, and enjoy an amazing natural phenomenon at the same time.
Using a colander to observe the partial solar eclipse
Like leaves, you can use a kitchen colander to project a series of tiny eclipses. The light passes through the tiny holes in a colander, creating an array of miniature eclipse images on the ground or a screen.
UT Senior lecturer and astronomy coordinator, Sean Lindsay is a fan of this method as it provides a direct and safe way to track the eclipse’s journey.
Constructing a pinhole projector to observe the partial solar eclipse
With a pinhole projector, sunlight travels through the pinhole to form a small image of the sun. The projector provides a safe way to watch the partial solar eclipse in absence of eclipse glasses.
Just take a piece of cardboard, and cut a small square in the middle, cover the square with a piece of foil and puncture a tiny hole in the foil. Then, position the cardboard such that the light goes through the hole and onto another cardboard to show an image of the sun.
For a guide on how to construct your own pinhole projector, take a look at the guidelines provided by Warby Parker. Alternatively, you could check out NASA’s video guide.
Transforming a box into a pinhole projector to observe the eclipse
Another approach to building a pinhole projector involves the use of a box, tape, scissors, foil and paper.
Select a cardboard box that you can comfortably wear over your head. Cut a square hole at one end of the box and cover it with foil. Create a tiny hole in the foil. On the opposite side, attach a piece of paper inside the box.
Once it’s ready, ensure your back is facing the sun and place the box over your head. Adjust the box so the light goes through the hole and projects onto the paper, thereby letting you observe the eclipse.
Converting a cereal box into a partial solar eclipse viewing device
A cereal box can also be adapted into a pinhole projector. NASA provides a guide here.
Empty the contents of the cereal box and place a white piece of paper or cardboard at the bottom. At the top, cut both ends, leaving the center flaps intact. Use tape to keep the center flaps closed. Cover one of the openings with foil and create a tiny hole in it, leaving the other side open.
Once your cereal box projector is ready, turn your back to the sun, position the box so the sunlight enters through the hole and view the spectacle from the opening end. The sunlight will cast an image of the sun onto the bottom end of the box.
Transforming a shoebox into a partial solar eclipse viewer
The cereal box technique can be similarly used on a shoebox.
Cut a small hole on one end of the shoebox and tape foil over it. Then create a small hole in the foil. Fasten a small piece of paper inside the shoebox on the opposite side.
Optionally, cut a hole on the foil-side or on the elongated side of the shoebox near the paper for a closer view. Once the projector is ready, close the shoebox and adjust it so that the sunlight passes through the hole, along the length of the box, and onto the paper. Inside, you will witness projection of the sun’s image.
Observing the partial solar eclipse with your hands
Join your hands together, with one hand vertical and the other horizontal, and interlace your fingers. This creates square gaps between your fingers.
Now, position your hands to face the sun. The gaps act as pinholes, through which the sunlight casts miniature eclipses onto the ground or a screen.
Where can I find solar eclipse glasses?
With it being quite late to make online orders, you can still potentially find them at some local outlets in Tennessee.
A variety of stores have eclipse glasses in stock, such as Kroger, Walmart, Lowe’s, Staples, Warby Parker, and Buc-ee’s. They typically price around $2-5. However, ensure that the glasses follow the ISO 12312-2 international standard, as highlighted by the American Astronomical Society.
What time is the solar eclipse on Monday? What will it look like?
Enter your ZIP code or city in the search box below to know when the eclipse will be visible.
Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Contact him at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @specialk2real.
Support impactful local journalism by subscribing to knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Watching the light pass through tree leaves. Peering into a modified cereal box. Angling a kitchen colander. You can view the partial solar eclipse on Monday using these safe, alternative methods and more.
If you weren’t able to travel to totality, professors at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville have tips on how to view the eclipse in fun, safe alternative ways no matter where you live in Tennessee.
Knoxville will see the eclipse reach a maximum coverage of 89% around 3:07 p.m. EST, according to eclipse2024.org. The astronomical event starts at 1:49 p.m. and ends at 4:23 p.m.
Nashville will see maximum coverage of about 95%, at 2:03 p.m. CDT. Memphis will see maximum coverage of around 97% at 1:57 p.m. CDT.
If weren’t able to travel or get the special glasses needed to see the eclipse, here are seven alternative ways to view it.
Tree leaves project mini partial solar eclipses
A fun way to view the eclipse is by watching the light pass through tree leaves. Sunlight will project mini eclipses onto the ground as the light passes through gaps in the leaves.
You will be able to track the progress of the eclipse from start to finish, and see a cool natural effect.
Use a colander to show the partial solar eclipse
Similar to leaves, you can use a colander to project mini eclipses. The light will pass through the small holes in a colander to create a dazzling sight of tiny eclipses on the ground or on a canvas.
Senior lecturer and astronomy coordinator at UT Sean Lindsay likes this method as it’s a more direct and safe way of showing the progress of an eclipse.
Create a pinhole projector to see the partial solar eclipse
With a pinhole projector, sunlight travels through the pinhole to create a small image of the sun. The projector makes it safe to observe the partial solar eclipse if you don’t have eclipse glasses.
All you need to do is take a piece of cardboard, cut an inch square in the middle, tape foil over the square and poke a small hole in the foil. Afterwards, angle the cardboard so the light travels through the hole and onto another piece of cardboard to show an image of the sun.
Warby Parker provided a guide on how to DIY your own pinhole projector, or check out NASA’s video tutorial.
How to turn a box into a pinhole projector to view the eclipse
Another way to make a pinhole projector includes a box, tape, scissors, foil and paper.
Find a cardboard box you can comfortably place over your head. Cut a square hole on one end of the box and tape the foil over it. Poke a small hole in the foil. On the opposite side, tape a piece of paper inside the box.
Once its ready, turn your back to the sun and place the box over your head. Angle the box so the light goes through the hole and projects onto the paper. Now you can see the eclipse.
Convert a cereal box into a partial solar eclipse viewer
You can also make a pinhole projector using a cereal box. NASA provides instructions on how to craft one.
Empty the contents of the box and place a white piece of paper or cardboard at the bottom. Cut both ends of the top leaving just the center flaps. Tape the center to keep it closed. Cover one of the openings with foil and poke a small hole into the foil, but leave the other side open.
Once the cereal box is ready, you will need to turn away from the sun, angle the box so sunlight goes through the hole and peer into the box from the opening. The light will project an image of the sun onto the bottom of the box.
Turn a shoebox into a partial solar eclipse viewer
The cereal box method works with shoeboxes, too.
Cut a small hole on one end of the shoebox and tape foil over it. Poke a small hole in the foil. Tape a small piece of paper inside the shoebox on the other end.
You can cut a hole to look into either on the foil side or on the long side of the shoebox near the paper for a closer view. When it’s ready, close the shoebox and angle it so the sunlight passes through the pinhole, down the length of the shoebox and onto the paper. It will project an image of the sun inside.
Use your hands to view the partial solar eclipse
Take both hands and overlap your fingers with one hand vertical and the other horizontal. Your fingers should cross over each other and form square gaps.
Now, angle your hands so sunlight hits them. Sunlight will pass through the gaps like pinholes, projecting mini eclipses onto the ground or a canvas.
Where can I buy solar eclipse glasses?
It’s a bit late to order glasses online, but you might still be able to find them in some local stores in Tennessee.
Several stores sell eclipse glasses including Kroger, Walmart, Lowe’s, Staples, Warby Parker and Buc-ee’s for around $2-5. Just make sure the glasses comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard, as stressed by the American Astronomical Society.
What time is the solar eclipse on Monday? What will it look like?
See when the eclipse will be visible based on ZIP code or city in the search box below.
Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing to knoxnews.com/subscribe.