How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely with Viewing Glasses

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How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely with Viewing Glasses

Viewing a solar eclipse is an amazing experience that you will never forget, but it is important to remember to take the necessary precautions. Solar eclipse viewing glasses are a must when observing a solar eclipse – they provide safe protection for your eyes and allow you to get a clear view of the sun. In this blog post, we will discuss how to use solar eclipse viewing glasses to safely observe a solar eclipse.

Do NOT Look Directly at the Sun

When observing a solar eclipse, it is important to remember that you should never look directly at the sun. The only way to safely view a solar eclipse is to use special-purpose solar filters. These filters are designed to reduce the intensity of sunlight so that you can safely look at the sun without hurting your eyes. Without proper protection, looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyesight and could even cause blindness. It is also important to note that the sun’s light is still very bright during an eclipse, so even if you are wearing the right kind of protective glasses, you should never look directly at them. 

If you don’t have access to special-purpose solar filters or eclipse glasses, it is best to avoid looking directly at the sun. If you can’t do this, then it is important to take precautions. You can cover your eyes with your hands, or you can use a hand-held mirror to project an image of the eclipse onto a wall or piece of paper. This will allow you to observe the eclipse safely without looking directly at the sun.

Cover Your Eyes With Eclipse Glasses

When viewing a solar eclipse, it is essential to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. The only safe way to look directly at the sun during an eclipse is with special-purpose eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers. Regular sunglasses, even dark ones, do not have enough protection.

Eclipse glasses are inexpensive and widely available, and should be worn at all times when looking at the sun during a solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses should be labeled with ISO 12312-2 certification, which shows they meet international safety standards.

It is important to inspect your eclipse glasses before using them, as damage can make them unsafe to use. Make sure there are no scratches or tears in the lenses and check for any loose parts or gaps. The lenses should appear to be undamaged and should block 100 percent of the sun’s harmful rays.

To use eclipse glasses safely, put them on before looking at the sun and keep them on until you turn away. If you need to adjust the glasses, do so without taking them off and without turning towards the sun. When finished, take off the glasses and turn away from the sun before taking them off. If you are sharing glasses, make sure to keep the lenses clean by wiping them with a soft, lint-free cloth. 

main photo: unsplash.com/Karl Magnuson

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