You’ve probably heard already: a solar eclipse will be visible from the US on Monday afternoon, April 8, and now is the time to prepare. According to NASA, solar eclipses occur up to five times a year. However, where you are will determine whether you can get in on the astronomical action. While everyone in the lower 48 states will be able to see at least a partial solar eclipse, people in several states will be treated to something much more dramatic: totality, when the moon completely blocks out the sun (for more information about the eclipse and what you can do ). that you’ll see in your region, read our full eclipse guide.)
A total solar eclipse is a big deal, and it’s understandable that you’ll want to be part of the spectacle. But you’ve probably heard that staring at the sun can seriously damage your eyes – and you heard right. “It is not good to look directly at the sun at any time,” says Aaron Zimmerman, clinical professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. “The sun is so bright that permanent damage to the retina (the back of the eye) can occur if you look at it for too long. And too long can last for seconds.”
Your eyes can recover from very short sun exposure (less than a few seconds), Zimmerman said. But brief glimpses of the sun can also add up. “With eclipses lasting two and a half hours, a few glimpses can add up to a significant amount of exposure,” he said. And “there is no known cure for vision loss due to eclipse.”
The good news: You don’t have to sit back and twiddle your thumbs while this impressive event takes place above you. Special solar eclipse glasses allow you to view the action safely. But since knockoffs are inevitable and everywhere, you have to choose carefully.
What are solar eclipse glasses?
Solar eclipse glasses block all but a small portion of the sun’s UV, visible and infrared light, transmitting only a safe amount that provides a comfortably clear image, says Richard Tresch Fienberg, project manager with the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force and co. -author of Astronomy for Dummies.
“Typically, solar filters allow somewhere between about one part in 100,000 (that’s 0.001%) and one part in 2 million of the sun’s visible light to pass through, creating a solar image that is only about as bright as a full moon,” said Feinberg. “Eclipse glasses are at least 1,000 times darker than even the darkest regular sunglasses.”
How to find safe solar eclipse glasses
Your vision is not something you want to mess with. That’s why it’s so important to do your homework. “Safe solar binoculars are binoculars that comply with the international standard ISO 12312-2 for filters for direct observation of the sun,” Fienberg said.
The only way to really know if glasses meet the standard is to have them tested by an accredited laboratory, but “there are very few laboratories that are accredited to test for compliance with ISO 12312-2,” according to Feinberg. His organization has compiled a list of glasses and binoculars that meet this standard.
“If you have eclipse glasses that are safe — that is, meet the ISO 12312-2 standard — then you can look through them for as long as you want without risk to your eyes,” Feinberg said. “But practically speaking, the best way to view the progress of a partial solar eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar eclipse, is to glance at it every few minutes.” The moon moves past the sun so slowly that it’s not that exciting to watch the eclipse all the time, he said.
Zimmerman recommended comparing any solar eclipse glasses you are considering against the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force list to ensure they are from a reputable company. This is important because there are already companies selling glasses online that claim to be certified, but are not. “The eclipse glasses should all have the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 label somewhere on the glasses. Make sure you find that label,” Zimmerman said.
Dazed? Do not be. Here are a few options that meet that all-important safety standard.
Amazon
Soluna glasses are made in the USA by American Paper Optics and are recognized as ISO compliant by the American Astronomical Society. The glasses have scratch-resistant silver polymer lenses and clearly indicate that they meet ISO standards.
$15 at Amazon
Amazon
MK’s solar specs come in a pack of 10 so you can hand them out to family and friends. The inside of the glasses clearly states that they are ISO certified. The kit even shows you how to make a special lens for your phone’s camera.
$14 at Amazon
Amazon
Want more traditional glasses for your eclipse viewing party? This three-pack from Eclipsee (get it?) has plastic frames for a sturdier feel. They are scratch resistant and one size fits most.
$9 at Amazon
Amazon
These solar eclipse glasses from Kesseph have a cool eclipse graphic on the side and an ISO certification on the inside. Fold lines on the sides ensure a good fit. The 10-pack comes with a phone camera lens filter.
$17 at Amazon
Amazon
Buy a five-pack for your family of Celestron EclipSmart solar eclipse glasses. Each bag has pleats that you can fold for a better fit, and the ISO certification is clearly marked on the inside.
$15 at Amazon
SEIC
Do you have children at home? SEIC’s five-pack offers three shades for kids, along with two versions for adults. The children’s versions come in a nice orange color. All these glasses are ISO certified.
$17 at Amazon
Lunt
Just shopping for a younger audience? Lunt’s ISO-certified junior solar eclipse glasses are designed for smaller faces. They also have a cute graphic motif that kids will love.
$13 at Amazon
Try out your glasses before using them
You don’t want to mess with your vision. That’s why it’s a good idea to test the glasses before the eclipse. “Try checking with your cell phone flashlight or by looking at a bright light in your home,” Zimmerman said. “You should barely be able to see those lights.”
If you wear the right glasses, you should be able to view the eclipse comfortably, Zimmerman said. “If you cannot view the stages of the partial eclipse comfortably, your eclipse glasses may not function properly,” he added. If so, stop watching the eclipse immediately.
Are you living on the path of ‘totality’? You have a period of about two to three minutes when the sun is completely blocked and you can see the eclipse without eye protection, Zimmerman said. “As soon as the sun becomes visible again, there is a partial solar eclipse and you should put on your eclipse glasses,” he said.