Eye and Skin Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse

It is always harmful to your eyes to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection, with the exception of the few minutes during totality. Normal sunglasses DO NOT provide sufficient protection to look directly at the Sun, eclipse viewers will need special eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Looking at any part of the Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the lens will cause severe eye injury.

Below are some important safety guidelines to follow during a total solar eclipse, courtesy of NASA:

• View the Sun through special eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after  totality.


• You can view the eclipse directly without eye protection ONLY during totality when the Moon completely obscures the Sun's bright face. You will know when it's safe to look when you no longer see the sun through your eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.


• As soon as you see even a small portion of the bright face of the Sun reappear following totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.


• Remember, totality will only last for a few minutes. The sun will still be bright during partial phases of the eclipse. If you are planning on being outside for an extended period of time to watch the entire eclipse, remember to wear sunscreen or protective clothing.