What to look for and where to buy solar shades for safe eclipse viewing

Get ready, skywatchers – a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse will blaze across a wide swath of the U.S. skies on the morning of Oct. 14, so you’re going to need some solar eclipse glasses.

According to the American Astronomical Society, all 49 continental states will experience at least a partial eclipse. NASA, which has created an interactive eclipse explorer that tells users what phase the eclipse should be at a certain time and place, says the eclipse will begin in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT and end in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT.

Eager to take in this special sight? Then you will need to prepare with special viewing equipment.

Do I really need special eyewear to view the eclipse?

There is no safe time to look directly at the sun, even when it is partially eclipsed. Doing so can damage the retinas and expose your eyes to UV rays. A total solar eclipse will be about as bright as the moon and as safe to look at, according to AAS. But not all states will experience totality, so a safe way to view the celestial sight is still needed.

Is there a do-it-yourself way to view the eclipse?

Standard sunglasses are not safe for viewing an eclipse. Solar glasses or a solar viewer require a filter that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. However, there are ways to indirectly view an eclipse, including building a pinhole projector or a sun funnel (PDF).

What should I look for in solar glasses and filters?

Solar eclipse glasses can be purchased online, but buyer beware – some sites may sell eyewear that doesn’t conform to the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. The AAS has an extensive list of suppliers that sell safe solar glasses, filters, and viewers, but not all of these suppliers are able to ship in time for the Oct. 14 eclipse. The list also includes national retailers like Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart, but consumers should call ahead to confirm they have solar eclipse glasses in stock. 

Photography enthusiasts should also consider purchasing a filter to place over the lens of their smartphones, cameras, and telescopes. Telescopes and binoculars magnify the field of view, so looking at a partial eclipse through one of these devices  – even with solar eclipse glasses on – can still damage a viewer’s eyes.

Solar eclipse glasses are relatively inexpensive. For example, Woodland Hills Camera and Telescope in the Los Angeles area had solar eclipse glasses in stock for under $3 each. A pack of four, along with an observing kit and guide book, cost about $12. If your library participates in the STAR Library Network, you might even be able to get them free. Most of the resellers listed by the AAS take online orders, but order as soon as possible to allow time for shipping.

And buying solar eclipse glasses now is a good investment because the next eclipse happens in less than six months. A total eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, when most of the contiguous United States will experience at least a partial eclipse.

Hopefully, skywatchers will get a chance to take in at least one or both eclipses. Because after the April eclipse, there won’t be another one for more than 20 years. The next solar eclipse viewable in the United States won’t take place until August of 2044, according to NASA.