Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?

No — except during the brief total phase inside the path of totality, you must use certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses or a safe projection method at all times. A partial eclipse is never safe to view with the naked eye, and ordinary sunglasses do not protect your eyes.

When can you take eclipse glasses off?

Only when you are inside the path of totality and the Sun is 100% covered (totality). The moment the bright Sun begins to reappear, glasses must go back on.

Can you watch an eclipse through a phone or camera?

Not without a certified solar filter over the lens — concentrated sunlight can damage the sensor and, through an optical viewfinder, your eye. Projection is the safest way to share the view.

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How to watch a solar eclipse safely

The single rule: except during totality, never look at the Sun without certified protection. A 99% partial is still 10,000× too bright for your eyes.

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The one-line rule

Use ISO 12312-2 certified solar eclipse glasses or a pinhole/optical projection at all times during the partial phases. Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, and exposed film are not safe. Only inside the path of totality, during the brief seconds the Sun is 100% covered, may glasses come off.

Safe ways to watch

Questions people ask

FAQ

Are sunglasses enough?

No. Even very dark sunglasses transmit thousands of times too much light. Only ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses are safe.

Is a 99% partial safe to glance at?

No — the remaining sliver of Sun is still bright enough to cause permanent retinal damage without pain. Protection on until 100%.

When exactly can glasses come off?

Only inside the path of totality, only while the Sun is fully covered. Back on the instant the "diamond ring" reappears.

Where's the next total eclipse?

Check the live eclipse tracker for every upcoming solar and lunar eclipse and what you'll see from your location.

GuidanceNASA eclipse safety· American Astronomical Society· ISO 12312-2