Can You Look At A Solar Eclipse Through Sunglasses

Protect Your Eyes During Solar Eclipses: Use ISO 12312-2 Certified Glasses

Importance of Solar Eye Protection

When witnessing a solar eclipse, it is essential to safeguard your eyes from harmful UV radiation. Failure to do so can lead to severe damage ranging from temporary blindness to permanent vision impairment.

Safe Solar Viewing Tools

To safely observe solar eclipses, use only solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 certification. These devices block out harmful radiation, making them thousands of times more effective than ordinary sunglasses or homemade filters.

Dangers of Unfiltered Viewing

Ordinary sunglasses, even those with extremely dark lenses, cannot protect your eyes from eclipse radiation. Homemade filters, such as aluminum foil or photographic negatives, are also ineffective and may exacerbate eye damage. Viewing the eclipse through unfiltered telescopes is equally hazardous.

American Astronomical Society Guidelines

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) recommends the exclusive use of ISO 12312-2 certified solar viewing tools during solar eclipses. The AAS has confirmed that there are currently no known reports of unsafe products meeting this standard.