As the solar eclipse is quickly approaching on April 8, we have expert advice and recommendations on how to watch the eclipse without glasses and still enjoy the breathtaking phenomenon.
When it comes to the dangers of viewing a solar eclipse without proper eye protection, staring at the sun directly can burn your retina explained Dr. Rahul Pandit, an ophthalmologist at Houston Methodist.
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“It’s similar to when you have a magnifying glass that focuses the sunlight directly onto a dried leaf, for example, and leads to the leaf smoldering or burning, which represents the heat damage from all the concentrated solar rays of light,” Dr. Pandit said.
Dr. Pandit said that while ISO 12312-2 glasses are the only correct eye protection, here are some alternative ways to view the eclipse for people who don’t have the ISO glasses:
- Pinhole projector—pinhole in a surface, let the sunlight shine through onto another dark surface far away, and look for the shape of that pinhole circle to change. This is the similar effect of using a colander.
- Nature’s projector—By looking at the sun coming through the gaps between leaves on trees, you can see how the shadow of the eclipse is projected onto sidewalks and buildings in real time.
- Cross your fingers at right angles to create a criss-cross pattern on the ground as the sun is eclipsed and watch the pattern change shape as your fingers’ shadows cross the ground.
SEE ALSO: Why upcoming eclipse is such a rare event
Under no circumstances can regular sunglasses provide adequate protection for viewing a solar eclipse.
“Regular sunglasses only block a small portion of visible light and generally UV light. But the sun’s rays are so strong that regular sunglasses will not protect you. The problem during an eclipse is that much of the sun is blocked out, so you can actually look at it longer than, for example, during a normal bright sunny day, when the sun is so bright your eyes immediately close or your gaze is averted,” Dr. Pandit said. “In the eclipse situation, you don’t ‘see’ as much light, so you can stare at the partially occluded sun, yet still get much more light to your retina than you can handle. This is what leads to the retinal damage.”
To ensure the safety of eclipse glasses, make sure they are labeled ISO 12312-2 properly with the certification from the AAS. The glasses can be reused if they are not damaged.
Dr. Pandit stressed the importance of parents supervising their children during solar eclipses to prevent eye damage.
“Do not let them take off their glasses at all. If they take off their glasses, make sure they are NOT looking at the sun at that moment,” Dr. Pandit said. “Always re-wear their glasses prior to looking back at the sun.”
When it comes to using binoculars or telescopes to view a solar eclipse safely, Dr. Pandit said there are specially designed filters for the telescope’s lenses that will be needed to provide full eye protection.
“The AAS also lists approved vendors, but I suggest you also speak with an expert astronomer before using a special solar filter on a camera, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device, to ensure you are purchasing the correct lens. Remember, the filter should be the FIRST thing that the sunlight hits, prior to entering any telescope/binocular/viewing device.”
While there is no risk in using eclipse glasses that have been stored for a long time, ensure they are not physically damaged in any way and when in doubt, get a new pair.
“This is a great opportunity to ‘meet your neighbors’ and ‘share the excitement’ outdoors. People can share their eyeglasses (safely) as I have done with neighbors who didn’t have one of their own,” Dr. Pandit said. “The leaves on the tree look fascinating even during a partial eclipse. And, only in the path of totality, and only when the sun is completely occluded (you will have to rely on people who have glasses on) can you then look directly at the sun but only for a few seconds, at most a minute or so, while it is completely occluded, without damaging your retina. If in doubt, don’t risk it.”
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