Eclipse Viewing Safety
Your guide to safely experiencing the wonder of solar and lunar eclipses without risking your vision
⚠️ CRITICAL: Never Look Directly at the Sun
Looking at the sun without proper eclipse glasses can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Even a brief glance during a partial eclipse can burn your retina. The only safe time to look at the sun without protection is during the brief moments of totality in a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely covers the sun.
Do I Need Eclipse Glasses?
Let's figure out what protection you need!
Eclipse Glasses & Safe Viewing Methods
ISO-Certified Eclipse Glasses
Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. They block 99.999% of sunlight and all harmful UV and infrared radiation.
Pinhole Projector (Indirect Viewing)
A safe, no-glasses alternative that lets you view the eclipse's projection rather than looking at the sun directly.
🛒 Where to Buy Certified Eclipse Glasses
Only purchase eclipse glasses from reputable vendors listed by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) or other recognized organizations.
💡 Pro tip: Order early! Eclipse glasses often sell out weeks before major eclipses.
Telescope & Camera Safety
🚫 DANGER: Optical Equipment Requires Solar Filters
Never look at the sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any optical device without a proper solar filter attached to the front of the device. Concentrated sunlight can instantly and permanently destroy your retina and the equipment. Eclipse glasses are NOT sufficient for optical viewing.
Camera Protection
Use a solar filter on your camera lens when photographing partial phases or the sun before/after totality.
- • Attach filter to front of lens
- • Use live view instead of optical viewfinder
- • Remove filter only during totality
- • Put filter back on immediately after
Telescope Safety
Telescopes require specialized solar filters rated for the aperture size. Never use eyepiece filters—they can crack.
- • Use aperture-sized solar film or glass filter
- • Secure firmly to front of telescope
- • Check for damage before use
- • Never leave telescope unattended
Binocular Viewing
Binoculars need solar filters on BOTH objective lenses. Never point binoculars at the sun without filters.
- • Filter both lenses completely
- • Use dedicated solar binoculars if possible
- • Mount on tripod for stability
- • Check filters are secure before each use
"Safe to Look Now" Alert System
Real-Time Totality Alert Timer
During a total solar eclipse, use our alert system to know exactly when it's safe to remove your eclipse glasses. The timer will alert you when totality begins (safe to look) and when it ends (put glasses back on immediately).
Experience a simulated 30-second eclipse with totality alerts
Eclipse Safety Myths vs. Facts
MYTH: Eclipses emit harmful radiation
FACT: The sun doesn't emit more radiation during an eclipse. The danger is that people are tempted to look at it. The sun is always dangerous to look at directly.
MYTH: Regular sunglasses are enough protection
FACT: Regular sunglasses, even UV-blocking ones, only reduce sunlight by about 90%. Eclipse glasses block 99.999% of sunlight. You need that extra protection.
MYTH: It's safe to look if only a tiny bit of sun is showing
FACT: Even 1% of the sun's surface is 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. You need eclipse glasses from the first moment of contact until totality, and again the instant totality ends.
FACT: Solar retinopathy is painless but permanent
You won't feel pain when damaging your retina because the retina has no pain receptors. By the time you notice vision problems hours or days later, the damage is permanent. Prevention is everything.
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