How to make a pinhole camera for the 2024 eclipse

Here's our classic step-by-step guide to make a pinhole viewer with a cardboard box.
By | Published: April 8, 2024

A cardboard box can be turned into a pinhole camera to see the 2024 eclipse.
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article provides instructions for constructing a pinhole camera using common household materials, such as a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and a pin, enabling safe observation of the Sun or solar eclipses.
  • The construction methodology involves creating a clean-edged pinhole aperture on one end of a cardboard box, at least 18 inches long, and positioning a white paper screen inside the box to project the solar image.
  • Design parameters, such as the box's dimensions and the pinhole's diameter, can be experimented with to optimize the projected image, with suggestions for enhancing stability through modifications like tripod mounting.
  • This do-it-yourself solar viewer is presented as an accessible and suitable educational activity, particularly for school classes, to facilitate safe engagement with celestial events.
Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store

OK, you want to view the Sun or an eclipse, but you don’t have an approved solar filter for your telescope. Maybe you don’t even have a telescope. No problem! I’ll bet you have a cardboard box. That and a few common supplies will let you build a pinhole camera/viewer that you can use to see an eclipse or the Sun. 

Just follow the steps in the captions. Feel free to experiment with the size of the box, whether or not you leave the extra cardboard pieces attached, or the pin’s diameter. In fact, if you’re a clever soul, you may want to mount the box on a thin plywood base, which you then can attach to a sturdy camera tripod. That way, you won’t have to hold the box while observing.

This activity is great for school classes. (I suggest the teacher cuts out the hole.)

This story was first published in 2016 and has been updated.

A common cardboard box.
Step 1: Start with a cardboard box at least 18 inches long. If you use a box shorter than this, the projected image of the eclipse or Sun will be unacceptably small. All photos: Michael E. Bakich
Step 2 in wow to make a pinhole viewer is to trace a quarter on one of the box's smaller ends.
Step 2: On one of the box’s smaller ends, trace a circle by using a quarter.
Step 3: Carefully cut out the circle with a sharp knife.
Step 3: Carefully cut out the circle with a sharp knife.
Step 4: Note that the hole doesn’t have to be perfect — or even round!
Step 4: Note that the hole doesn’t have to be perfect — or even round!
Step 5: Cut out a piece of aluminum foil (I used a fairly thick variety) big enough to cover the hole in the box.
Step 5: Cut out a piece of aluminum foil (I used a fairly thick variety) big enough to cover the hole in the box.


Step 6: Tape the foil over the hole.
Step 6: Tape the foil over the hole.

Step 7: Poke a hole in the foil using a pin. A pin is better than most items you could use because you want a hole with clean (non ragged) edges. As a variation, you can try using a sharp pencil. That will produce a larger hole. Careful, though. If your hole is too big, you’ll lose the pinhole camera effect and you’ll just see an out-of-focus blob.
Step 7: Poke a hole in the foil using a pin. A pin is better than most items you could use because you want a hole with clean (non ragged) edges. As a variation, you can try using a sharp pencil. That will produce a larger hole. Careful, though. If your hole is too big, you’ll lose the pinhole camera effect and you’ll just see an out-of-focus blob.

Step 8: Inspect the hole for roundness and make sure nothing is blocking it.
Step 8: Inspect the hole for roundness and make sure nothing is blocking it.

Step 9: Cut away as much of the extra cardboard pieces as you want. Alternatively, you could fold them over and tape them to the box’s sides, making the assembly a bit sturdier.
Step 9: Cut away as much of the extra cardboard pieces as you want. Alternatively, you could fold them over and tape them to the box’s sides, making the assembly a bit sturdier.

Step 10: Tape a white piece of paper on the inside of the box opposite the hole.
Step 10: Tape a white piece of paper on the inside of the box opposite the hole.

Step 11: Point the hole at the Sun and observe the projection on the paper. Congratulations!
Step 11: Point the hole at the Sun and observe the projection on the paper. Congratulations!

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