How to Make Infrared Goggles

Infrared is not to be confused with night vision. Infrared shows electromagnetic wavelengths that are longer than visual light but shorter that radio waves. The infrared light allows you to see a certain spectrum during the day. Some people claim that infrared goggles allow you to see ghosts. Infrared light detects heat and movement. These infrared goggles are inexpensive and take less than 30 minutes to make.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1 pair of welding goggles with screw-off lenses
• 1 sheet of Congo Blue theatrical lighting gel
• 1 sheet of Primary Red theatrical lighting gel
• Scissors

1. Remove the lenses from the goggles. Separate the green lenses from the clear ones.

2. Cut the gels. Use the green gel from the inside of the goggle's lens as a template. Cut two red gels and eight blue gels. The blue gel needs to be Congo Blue. The red gel needs to be Primary Red.

3. Place four blue gels one red gel in each of the goggles' eyepieces.

4. Screw the eyepieces back onto the goggles. Put the goggles on outside on a sunny day and enjoy the infrared spectrum.

Tips & Warnings

• Find the green and red gels for the infrared goggles at theater supply stores or home improvement stores.

• Use the lighting gels in the same way over camera or movie camera lenses. The resulting pictures won't be as crisp as what you see through the lens.

• Most welding goggles have a UV filtering glass. If your goggles do not, UV filter gels are also available at theatrical supply stores. Add them along with the blue and red gels.

• While wearing the goggles, do not look directly at the sun. This causes permanent eye damage within seconds.

Resources

• Read information and look at examples of infrared devices.