Are you planning to see the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? Make sure you do it safely. Don't look directly at the sun unless you are using special sun filters. Below are some ways you can watch the solar eclipse safely.
That is An eclipse?
Visit our Eclipse Basics page to learn about the different types of eclipses.
Solar filters
The safest way to view a solar eclipse is to use special solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or portable solar viewers.
Remember that the only safe time to look at the sun without solar filters is during the 2-4 minutes of the total eclipse if you are at 100% totality. It is never safe to view the sun without solar filters during any other phase of the eclipse, or if you are viewing a partial or annular eclipse.
Sunscreens must have:
- An ISO 12312-2:2015 certification
- The manufacturer's name and address printed somewhere on the product.
Do No use sunscreens that are:
- ISO certification information missing
- Broken, scratched or wrinkled lenses.
- Breaking free from their frames
- Manufactured before 2015
Remember: Homemade filters or regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are No safe to watch the sun.
Pinhole projectors
You can use a pinhole projector to safely view the eclipse without looking directly at the sun.
You can make your own or discharge and print ours.
If you have a Cricut machine, you can download several of our templates free in Cricut Design Space.
How does a pinhole projector work?
Light from the Sun travels through the small hole and reflects the image of the Sun on the screen, creating a safe way to view the Sun, especially during a solar eclipse.
Are you in New Mexico and looking for eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors?
Ask an astronomer
If you want to learn more about eclipses and the sun you can read several posts from our Ask an astronomer page:
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