Viewing the Sun Safely with Solar Eclipse Glasses


On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass through North America. The path of the total eclipse will first reach Mexico’s Pacific coast, then will travel through the US, reaching Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Reaching Canada, the eclipse will travel through Southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. However, it can be extremely dangerous to observe the Sun even with the naked eye. Special equipment, such as certified eclipse glasses, are needed to safely observe the solar eclipse.

If you purchased your solar eclipse glasses from High Point Scientific, regardless of the brand, you can be assured that they are certified to be safe for solar viewing when used as directed. However, If you purchased your glasses from another vendor or were gifted a pair, make sure they are safe to use before following the steps below.

Image: Path of the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. Credit: Michael Zeiler

Steps For Safely Viewing A Solar Eclipse

  • Always inspect the solar filter before use. Look for things such as scratches or damage. Shine a dim flashlight through the eclipse glasses; if you see any light coming through the other side, these glasses are not safe to observe the sun with.
  • Ensure your glasses are ISO 12312-2 compliant. All solar eclipse glasses sold by High Point Scientific are ISO 12312-2 compliant.
  • Make sure children keep eclipse glasses on at all times. Monitor and assist your child should they have difficulty finding the sun with the glasses.
  • DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT A PAIR OF ECLIPSE GLASSES. Doing so may permanently destroy your eyesight. You might not even notice that your eyes are being damaged, only after the eclipse will issues begin.
  • DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH A TELESCOPE OR BINOCULARS WITHOUT SOLAR FILTERS.
  • Do not attempt to create your own solar filter unless you are an experienced astronomer.
  • If you are in the path of a total eclipse, only remove your eclipse glasses to observe the sun during totality. In fact, it’s strongly recommended that you do; otherwise, you will not see anything whatsoever. During the totality of a solar eclipse, it’s safe to observe the Sun for a few minutes. NOTE: This is not true of an annular or partial eclipse, only a total solar eclipse.
  • Make sure everyone in your party understands how to use their glasses. Make sure an adult checks children's glasses to see that they are secure and that there is adult supervision at all times. We recommend everyone in your party has their own pair of solar shades since accidents are more likely to happen if people are sharing.

Learn More

Looking for more advice on how to safely view a total solar eclipse? Our experts are ready to help! Give us a call at 800-266-9590 or fill out the “Contact Us” form and we’ll answer any questions you may have.

Original Post Date: 8/15/2017

This Article was Last Updated on 10/16/2023

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