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How to view the total solar eclipse safely
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- A total solar eclipse will be visible on August 12 across parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, and Portugal, offering a rare sunset eclipse experience in Spain.
- Safe viewing requires certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or solar viewers, as looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause permanent eye damage, including solar retinopathy.
- Sunglasses are insufficient for eclipse viewing; only special eclipse glasses or solar filters for optical devices provide adequate protection by blocking harmful visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light.
- Welding filters with a shade number of 12 or higher can be used safely for eclipse viewing, but auto-darkening helmets are not recommended due to slow darkening response.
- Indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projectors or observing shadows through small holes in objects like leaves or colanders offer safe alternatives if certified glasses are unavailable.
