Specs aren’t a must

Don’t have solar specs to watch Monday’s Great American Eclipse?

Join the crowd. Protective eyewear is proving to be a hot commodity. Stores and online outlets are sold out.

Don’t bark at the moon. Instead, grab a colander or cereal box to make your own viewing equipment to safely watch the magical event.

Here are five wacky options, and best of all, they’re free!

1. Make pinhole projector in five easy steps with two pieces of white heavy-stock paper; aluminum foil; tape and a paper clip or pin. Go to SunSentinel.com/pinhole for our step-by-step guide.

2. Use cereal box. You’ll also need aluminum foil and tape. It’s a little complicated. Check out NASA’s website for tips on how to make your viewer.

3. Use a colander. You know, the kind you use to drain pasta. Place an index card in front of you as the screen. Turn your back to the sun and hold the colander beside your head, aiming at the card. It will act as a pinhole projector.

4. Buy welding mask. Hit up the home improvement store and buy a mask with a Shaded 12 or higher welding lens, which is a darker, industrial grade glass not used in average masks, according to the American Astronomical Society at Eclipse.AAS.org. Older helmets won’t cut it.

5. Watch NASA TV. The live stream starts at noon on Monday. Tune in at Eclipse2017. nasa.gov /eclipse-live-stream