Eclipse Safety
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- Written by:
- Karen Fox
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- Scientific consulting by:
- C. Alex Young
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- Produced by:
- Genna Duberstein and
- Jenny Hottle
- View full credits
It’s common sense not to stare directly at the Sun with your naked eyes or risk damaging your vision, and that advice holds true on Aug. 21. The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun. People who plan to view the eclipse should check to ensure their solar filters meet basic proper safety viewing standards. Solar viewing glasses should: have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard; have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product; not be used if they have scratches or holes in the lenses; not be used with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device, as the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and cause serious eye injury. More than 6,800 libraries across the U.S. are distributing safety-certified glasses, and the American Astronomical Society has a list of reputable vendors available at eclipse.aas.org. Watch the videos to learn more.
For More Information
See the following sources:
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/GSFC
Image of kid wearing solar eclipse glasses courtesy of NASA/Bill Ingalls
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Writer
- Karen Fox (ADNET Systems, Inc.) [Lead]
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Scientist
- C. Alex Young (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
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Producers
- Genna Duberstein (ADNET Systems, Inc.) [Lead]
- Jenny Hottle (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
Related Pages
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Read moreIt is never safe to look directly at the Sun – even if the Sun is partially obscured. When watching a partial solar eclipse, you must wear eclipse glasses at all times when looking at the Sun, or use an indirect viewing method. This also applies during a total solar eclipse up until the moment when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon.During the short time when the Moon completely obscures the Sun – known as the period of totality – it is safe to look directly at the star without eye protection. However, it’s crucial that you know when it’s safe to both remove and put back on your safe solar viewing glasses.To learn more about eclipses visit: science.nasa.gov/eclipses. ||
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ID: 12637 Produced Video
How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse
Read moreIt is never safe to look directly at the sun's rays – even if the sun is partly obscured. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times if you want to face the sun, or use an alternate indirect method. This also applies during a total eclipse up until the time when the sun is completely and totally blocked.During the short time when the moon completely obscures the sun – known as the period of totality – it is safe to look directly at the star, but it's crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses.First and foremost: Check for local information on timing of when the total eclipse will begin and end. NASA's page of eclipse times is a good place to start. Second: The sun also provides important clues for when totality is about to start and end.Learn more at https://eclipse2017.nasa.govFind more videos about the solar ecilpse on the Sun Eclipse 2017 gallery page. ||
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ID: 12517 Produced Video
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ID: 20233 Animation
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