Tips for Safeguarding Your Eyes During the 2024 Solar Eclipse
On April 8, millions of people across Mexico, the United States, and Canada will have the opportunity to witness a stunning total solar eclipse. This celestial event, which occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, will be a sight to behold. However, it is crucial to prioritize eye safety during this rare occurrence.
A total solar eclipse will be visible to those within the path of totality, where the moon’s shadow will completely cover the sun. However, even if you are outside this path, you will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse. It is important to note that any glimpse of the sun’s brightness with the naked eye can be uncomfortable and dangerous.
Staring directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can result in blindness or disrupted vision. In a previous total solar eclipse, a young woman experienced retinal damage after viewing the event with glasses that did not meet safety standards. Solar retinopathy, which is caused by exposure to solar radiation, is a permanent condition with no treatment.
To safely view the eclipse, it is essential to use certified eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. These specialized eyewear options are designed to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunglasses are not sufficient for this purpose, as they are not dark enough and do not meet the international safety standard.
Eclipse glasses and solar viewers are made with lenses that block nearly all visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light. The lenses are usually made of black polymer or resin infused with carbon particles. The American Astronomical Society provides a curated list of safe manufacturers and resellers for these glasses and filters.
When using eclipse glasses, it is important to put them on before looking up at the sun and to turn away from the sun before removing them. If you wear regular eyeglasses, you can keep them on and place the eclipse glasses over them. Alternatively, you can use a handheld viewer in front of your glasses.
It is crucial not to look at the sun through any unfiltered optical device, such as a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars, while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer. The concentrated solar rays can burn through the filter and cause severe eye damage. However, it is possible to use welding filters with a shade number of 12 or higher for safe viewing.
It is important to note that eclipse glasses and solar viewers do not expire as long as they comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and are undamaged. You can save them for future eclipses by storing them at room temperature in an envelope or their original packaging to prevent scratches.
If you don’t have certified glasses on hand, you can still view the eclipse indirectly using a pinhole projector. This can be created with a hole punched through an index card or other materials with small holes. By standing with your back to the sun and holding up the card, you can project an image of the crescent or ring-shaped sun onto the ground.
Other pinhole projectors that you may already have include colanders, straw hats, or any items with small holes. Another option is to create a waffle pattern by spacing out your fingers and crossing them over each other, reflecting the sun’s crescent during a partial eclipse or a ring during an annular eclipse.
If you are near a leafy tree during the eclipse, the small spaces between leaves will create dappled patterns of the eclipse phase on the ground, providing an indirect way to witness the event.
As we approach the 2024 solar eclipse, it is crucial to prioritize eye safety. By following these tips and using certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers, you can enjoy this rare celestial event without risking your vision.
Remember, never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection.
