Make a pinhole camera
This activity can be done leading up to a solar eclipse or as part of an eclipse viewing event or activity.
Did you know you don't need specialized glasses or equipment to view a solar eclipse? Using a few easy to find materials, you can make a pinhole camera that will let you watch a solar eclipse safely. In a pinhole camera the light enters through the small pinhole and creates an image of the sun on the ground.
What You Need
- Small piece of aluminum foil (per learner)
- Tape
- Scissors
- A pin, paperclip or sharp pencil
Safety Notes
Safety is the #1 priority when viewing the solar eclipse. Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. The most straightforward method for safeguarding your eyes is by using eclipse glasses. And remember - regular sunglasses are not appropriate for safely viewing an eclipse.
Younger learners may need help from an adult to cut their paper and make a small hole.
What To Do
Start by explaining what a solar eclipse is (see Discovery section below)
Activity:
- First take a piece of paper and cut out a small 2-3 cm by 2-3 cm hole in the middle. You can gently pinch or fold your paper to make this step easier.
- Next cut a piece of aluminum foil slightly larger than the hole you made in the paper.
- Carefully tape the tin over the hole in the paper.
- Gently poke a very small hole through the tinfoil using a pin or a very sharp pencil. Don’t be afraid to ask an adult for help!
- Place your second piece of paper on the ground. Important safety note: Your pinhole camera will project an image of the sun that is safe to look at. But remember, never look directly at the sun – even through the hole you made your pinhole camera.
- Stand with your back to the sun and hold your pinhole camera so that the sun is shining through the small hole onto your second piece of paper. As the sunlight travels through the tiny hole, it will project an image of the sun onto your second piece of paper.
- Experiment with moving your paper closer and further away from the ground to see how the images changes. How does the size of the image change if the camera is closer or farther from the ground?
Optional : you may wish to decorate the sides of your pinhole camera with the different phases of the eclipse or images of other objects you might find in space.
If you are facilitating this activity, but will not be with the group during the eclipse, conclude by talking to the group about what they can watch for and think about during the eclipse. If you are facilitating this as part of an eclipse viewing event, ask learners to share what they saw.
Discovery
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, causing a shadow to move across the Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face.
If you are one of the lucky people to witness a total solar eclipse, the Moon will block out the entire Sun, leaving a glowing ring of light for a few spectacular minutes. Using a pinhole camera, you can safely see when the moon blocks part of the sunlight, creating a crescent shaped projection on the ground.
At the start of eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun and block a tiny section of the face of the Sun. This first contact is first only visible through a telescope before you can finally see it with the unaided eye. You MUST use eclipse glasses when looking at the sun! During the next phase, the Moon gradually covers more and more of the Sun's light. As the partial phase progresses, a dark shadow will grow over the Sun’s face. When the Moon completely blocks the Sun, this is called “totality.” During totality, the Sun is completely blocked and it might look like nighttime outside! You may see bright streams of light around the circle of the Sun and Moon. As the Moon begins to move away from the Sun, the crescent shape of the sun will start to grow and brighten. If you removed your Eclipse glasses during totality , now is the time to put them back on. As the Moon continues to move away from the Sun, the bright crescent of the Sun will grow larger and larger. At the end of the Eclipse, none of the Sun will be covered by the Moon’s shadow. When the Sun’s face is completely free of any dark shapes from the Moon, the Eclipse is over.
For additional information about the sun, moon and eclipse:
Seeing a total solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime experience. While a total solar eclipse occurs once in approximately 18 months and it is rare to be in the path of totality, meaning, it is rare to be in a location where the sun is completely blocked by the moon. Explore forecasts of solar eclipses.
Look around your home or school – are there other items that might work to project an image of the sun in the same way as your pinhole camera? Try out strainers, slotted spoons, or other objects with small holes, or even overlap your fingers on your outstretched hands, and observe how the light shines through these different holes onto the ground.
What's Happening?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, causing a shadow to move across the Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face.
If you are one of the lucky people to witness a total solar eclipse, the Moon will block out the entire Sun, leaving a glowing ring of light for a few spectacular minutes. Using a pinhole camera, you can safely see when the moon blocks part of the sunlight, creating a crescent shaped projection on the ground.
At the start of eclipse, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun and block a tiny section of the face of the Sun. This first contact is first only visible through a telescope before you can finally see it with the unaided eye. You MUST use eclipse glasses when looking at the sun! During the next phase, the Moon gradually covers more and more of the Sun's light. As the partial phase progresses, a dark shadow will grow over the Sun’s face. When the Moon completely blocks the Sun, this is called “totality.” During totality, the Sun is completely blocked and it might look like nighttime outside! You may see bright streams of light around the circle of the Sun and Moon. As the Moon begins to move away from the Sun, the crescent shape of the sun will start to grow and brighten. If you removed your Eclipse glasses during totality , now is the time to put them back on. As the Moon continues to move away from the Sun, the bright crescent of the Sun will grow larger and larger. At the end of the Eclipse, none of the Sun will be covered by the Moon’s shadow. When the Sun’s face is completely free of any dark shapes from the Moon, the Eclipse is over.
For additional information about the sun, moon and eclipse:
Why Does it Matter?
Seeing a total solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime experience. While a total solar eclipse occurs once in approximately 18 months and it is rare to be in the path of totality, meaning, it is rare to be in a location where the sun is completely blocked by the moon. Explore forecasts of solar eclipses.
Investigate Further
Look around your home or school – are there other items that might work to project an image of the sun in the same way as your pinhole camera? Try out strainers, slotted spoons, or other objects with small holes, or even overlap your fingers on your outstretched hands, and observe how the light shines through these different holes onto the ground.