Here are some steps which you can follow to learn How to Make Solar Eclipse Glasses:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Here’s what you’ll need to create your own pair of solar eclipse glasses. Large piece of poster board, template for your glasses, solar filter, roll of blue painter’s tape, Scissors and pen. If you have a pair of recycled 3D glasses on hand, you’re in luck. You can skip the poster board and template for an easy alternative.

Verify the Safety of Your Solar Filter Before Use

While there are wide range of solar filters available on market, only handful of brands have been approved by NASA. If you want to keep yourself and loved ones safe during big event, you should always stick to verified brands. While many household alternatives are being popularized in YouTube videos dedicated to safe solar viewing, many have been proven unsafe. Check and double check your sources before using a household alternative in your project. No matter how dark your favorite pair of sunglasses may be. If they aren’t certified to protect your eyes against sun’s UV radiation, your safety will be at risk.

Use high-quality, ISO certified solar films from reputable businesses like Rainbow Symphony. Made from durable, scratch resistant black polymer, and it ensures a safe, crisp and clear view from start to finish. Another great perk: you can use film to transform your everyday binoculars, and telescopes into safe solar viewing devices, too.

Step 2: Prepare Your Frames

If you’re making your own frames from scratch, start by laying out poster board or card stock on flat surface. Next, draw your outline or place your printed template on top. Once your paper is prepped, use your scissors to cut out the frames. You should have one rectangular piece with cutouts for nose and eyes, as well as two separate handles for ears. If you’re repurposing old pair of 3D glasses, simply pop out old lenses and you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Insert Your Solar Filter Lenses

Picture of Insert Your Solar Filter Lenses

Next, measure and cut the solar film so that it completely covers the eye holes of your glasses. Make sure not to puncture or scratch the film while handling it because any deformity can diminish its protective quality. Also, be sure not to cut the film too close to size. You want there to be a decent overlap so that no light can leak through edges of the eye holes.

Step 4: Secure With Tape

Once your solar film is in place, secure it to your frames of choice with your roll of blue tape. If you’re making your solar eclipse glasses out of poster board or card stock. It’s time to tape the earpieces in place as well.

Step 5: Go for a Test Run

To determine the safety of your glasses, it’s time for a test run. Go into a dark room, put the glasses on, and have a friend shine a flashlight in your direction. If any of the bright light comes through (without the yellow/orange hue), you have a leak. If that happens, it’s better to find out now than when you’re viewing the actual eclipse. Simply follow the steps laid out above again, using a new piece of solar film. If all goes well in your test run, then you’re ready for the real deal!