Do Sunglasses Protect Eyes in a Solar Eclipse?
Never look directly at the Sun. You can seriously hurt your eyes, and even go blind. Proper eye protection, like eclipse glasses or a special solar filter, is the only safe option. Sunglasses don't work.
Next Annular Solar Eclipse: Sat, Oct 14, 2023 … See animation
Protect your eyes seeing a solar eclipse.
How Not to Watch Solar Eclipses
According to NASA, the following materials should never be used to view a solar eclipse:
- sunglasses of any kind
- color film
- medical X-ray film
- smoked glass
- floppy disks
The Sun can burn the retinas in the eyes leading to permanent damage or even blindness. This can occur even if your eyes are exposed to direct sunlight for just a few seconds.
Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse
DIY: Project the Sun.
The only way to safely view the Sun – eclipsed or not – is to either project or filter the Sun's rays.
Projectors
Projection works well. You can make your own box projector or use a telescope or binoculars. However, don't look through the telescope’s eyepiece or side-mounted finder scope while projecting the Sun's image onto a screen.
Eclipse Glasses
The American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of vendors where you can buy safe eclipse glasses. Make sure you carefully read the instructions that come with the glasses.
How to make the best use of solar eclipse glasses
Use proper eclipse glasses and solar filters to protect your eyes.
NASA also recommends welder's glasses rated 14 or higher. These can be found at your local welding supply store. Keep in mind that welder glass grading may be different in different countries.
Solar Filters
You can use special solar filters to watch the Sun during a solar eclipse, but use the proper type of solar filter that is designed for eclipses. Check that filters do not crack under the Sun’s magnified and focused intensity. Solar filters must be treated with care, or they can quickly become damaged and unsafe to use.
How to take pictures of a solar eclipse
Solar filters should never be used with optical devices such as telescopes and binoculars, unless it is a specialist solar filter designed for use with that particular device. If you are uncertain about whether a filter is safe, do not use it. Avoid all risks.