Observing and photographing the Sun is one of the most rewarding parts of amateur astronomy! In this article, we’ll cover how to make a solar filter for your telescope, camera lens or binoculars. With your own solar filter, you can safely observe and photograph a solar eclipse like the 2023 annular solar eclipse, 2024 total solar eclipse, partial eclipses, or the Sun on any day.

Warning: Never look at the Sun without proper filtration. Serious eye damage or blindness will occur.

Materials You’ll Need

• Solar film (see more on how much you’ll need in Step 1 below)
• A cardboard poster tube or poster board (see Step 2 for which size)
• Flat cardboard or foam core
• X-acto knife or bread knife
• Adhesive felt strips
• Double sided tape
• Scissors to cut solar filter material
• Glue

How to Make a Solar Filter: Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Choosing your Solar Film

Before