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 Sun filter, is the only safe option. Sunglasses don't work.
Next Total Solar Eclipse: Sat, Dec 4, 2021 … See animation
Eclipse In Progress: Partial Lunar Eclipse – Fri, Nov 19, 2021 … 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’s UV radiation 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
If you are not the DIY type, the American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of vendors where you can buy safe eclipse glasses.
Use proper eclipse glasses and solar filters to protect your eyes.
NASA 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.