DETROIT – Next week, people across North America will step outside for a once-in-a-decade, and sometimes once-in-a-lifetime, spectacle: a total solar eclipse.
On Monday, April 8, the moon will completely eclipse the sun for a brief period, blocking out all sunlight for those within what’s known as the path of totality. Most of Michigan is not within the path of totality, meaning most in the state will only see a partial eclipse. Still, people outside of the totality path will certainly try to see the eclipse ... which means a lot of staring at the sun.
---> There is one place in Michigan where you can see the total solar eclipse
Experts anywhere will tell you that staring at the sun is not safe for your eyes. Without proper protection, the eyes can sustain damage from the sun’s brilliant glare immediately and/or over time.
Enter: safe solar viewers. These are specific glasses and viewing objects that people can wear or use to watch the eclipse without hurting their eyes.
These viewers are fitted with special filters that meet a certain safety standard known as ISO 12312-2. Glasses or filters that meet the standard will have that figure printed on them somewhere.
Learn more in the video player up above.
Will sunglasses protect my eyes during an eclipse?
No. Sunglasses are not meant to protect your eyes while staring directly at the sun, and they can’t protect your eyes, either.
Experts urge people to use “safe solar viewers” instead of sunglasses when staring at the sun, including during an eclipse. According to NASA, these viewers are thousands of times darker than sunglasses, which offer significant protection.
Quick eclipse safety tips
When wearing ISO-compliant solar viewers, it’s important not to look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other device. The concentrated solar rays will burn right through the filter, and can cause serious eye injury.
If you don’t have any glasses to wear during an eclipse, you can make your own viewing device called a pinhole projector. It works by letting the light from the sun shine through the pin hole, projecting an image of the sun inside -- protecting your eyes.
Cameras -- including cellphone cameras -- should also be equipped with a special filter before you take photos or videos of the eclipse. Many companies that sell paper eclipse glasses also sell ISO-compliant filters for cellphone cameras.
---> Interactive map shows best time to watch 2024 total solar eclipse based on your location
Where to buy safe eclipse viewing glasses
The American Astronomical Society makes a significant effort to find and list all reliable sellers who have products that meet the specific ISO standard.
“We do not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever vendor offers the lowest price,” the AAS writes on its website. You can find the entire list of vendors that meet the requirements the AAS ’s website here.
There are some large chains that are selling safe solar viewers and filters, though not all locations have them. The AAS says people can buy glasses and filters in store at the following businesses:
- Warby Parker (available in stores for free starting April 1 while supplies last; limit two per person)
Shoppers are urged to not buy glasses or viewers on those businesses’ websites, however, since “some chains use different suppliers for their websites than they do for their stores,” the AAS writes.
Click here to learn more about safe eclipse glasses and filters from the AAS.