Eye Safety

how to view a solar eclipse safely

According to the American Astronomical Society, during a total solar eclipse, such as the one on April 8, 2024, looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase (“totality”), when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face, which happens only within the narrow path of totality. At all other times, it is safe to look directly at the Sun only through special-purpose solar viewers.

Instructions for the Safe Use of Solar Filters/Viewers

• Always supervise children using solar filters.
• If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright Sun. After looking at the Sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the Sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed, partially eclipsed, or annularly eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Similarly, do not look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes — the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious injury.
• Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device; note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.

resources

• Every person who attends Shadowfest will receive a FREE pair of eclipse glasses. If you won’t be camping at SolarFest, you may be able to get a free pair of glasses at your local library. Another good source for glasses is here: Eclipse Glasses: $3.99 and free shipping.