what are eclipse glasses

Quick Scoop

Eclipse glasses are special safety glasses made to let you look directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse without damaging your eyes. They use a strong solar filter that blocks nearly all visible light plus harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation, so the Sun appears as a very dim disk instead of a bright glare.

What they do

• Reduce sunlight to a safe level for direct viewing.

• Protect your eyes from invisible UV and IR light.

• Are different from regular sunglasses, which are not safe for looking at the Sun.

How to spot safe ones

• Look for a certification to the ISO 12312-2 solar-viewing standard.

• Buy from a reputable source, since fake eclipse glasses have been reported.

• Inspect them before use; scratched or damaged glasses should not be used.

Simple rule

If you can see anything other than the Sun through them, or if they are not certified for solar viewing, do not use them for an eclipse.

If you want, I can also explain how to tell whether a pair of eclipse glasses is safe.