Eclipse Eye Safety

Eclipse phases and needed eye safety.

Don’t be blindsided!

Plan ahead to decide if you’re going to make use of an indirect viewing method or to watch the eclipse directly by using eclipse glasses/viewers.  If the latter, please check the safety authenticity of viewing glasses/viewers to ensure they meet basic proper safety viewing standards.  You should never look directly at the Sun without solar viewing glasses/viewers or filters sold by astronomical specialists which block more than 99.999% of visible light and 100% of Infrared and Ultraviolet light.

Eclipse viewing glasses and handheld solar viewers should meet all the following criteria:

  • 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 are older than three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
  • Don’t use homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses—not even very dark ones—because they are not safe for looking directly at the Sun

The American Astronomical Society has verified that these five manufacturers are making eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: American Paper Optics, Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold film only), Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.

Here are our other recommendations for viewing any solar eclipse: