Safe Viewing

DURING PARTIAL PHASES (BEFORE AND AFTER TOTALITY)

For about an hour before and after the total phase, the Sun is only partially obscured. This is when it is dangerous to look directly at the Sun. Normally the Sun is too bright to look at anyway. Humans have an instinctual reaction to look away from the bright Sun. But during the partial phases, the Sun does not appear as bright, and you may be tempted to look directly at the Sun. DON’T DO IT! The danger of damaging your eyes does not depend on brightness. As long as any portion of the Sun’s disk remains visible it can still cause eye damage. This is when you need to wear eclipse glasses or use a pinhole projector (see below) to observe the crescent images of the Sun.

DURING TOTALITY

The total phase of a solar eclipse—when the sky is dark and the corona is visible around the Sun—is a beautiful sight which lasts no more than about four minutes for the 2024 eclipse. The best way to observe the event during these few brief minutes is simply to look directly at this glimmering halo in the sky. The corona is a million times fainter than the bright disk of the Sun; there is no danger of eye damage when looking directly at the corona or the prominences during totality. Binoculars may reveal even finer detail, but most observers agree that the naked eye is the best “instrument” for viewing the full glory of the event. Just remember to look away and put on your eclipse glasses right when the first speck of sunlight reappears at the end of totality.

SAFE VIEWING METHODS (FOR PARTIAL PHASES)

There are two best methods of viewing the partial phases of a total solar eclipse: eclipse glasses and a pinhole projector.

Eclipse Glasses—which normally cost only a few dollars—are widely available online. Here is a link to a recommended retailer for eclipse glasses.

A Pinhole Projector is an indirect way to observe the crescent images of the Sun during the partial phases before and after totality. Below are instructions for building and using this simple device.

Sign Up