Questions and bridges
Can I watch a solar eclipse without eclipse glasses?
No. Looking straight at the Sun without proper protection can permanently damage your eyes, even when most of it is covered. The only exception is totality, the brief moment in a total eclipse when the Moon completely hides the Sun.
The short answer
No, you should not watch a partial or annular eclipse with the naked eye. Sunlight stays dangerously intense even when the Moon covers much of the disk. Your eyes do not hurt in time to warn you, so damage can happen without any pain.
What is safe
- Eclipse glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard. Ordinary sunglasses are not enough.
- Solar filters fitted over the front of a telescope, binoculars or camera. Never look through optics while wearing only eclipse glasses.
- Indirect projection, such as a pinhole in card that casts an image of the Sun onto paper while your back is to the Sun.
The one exception
During a solar eclipse that is total, you may remove your glasses only in the short minutes when the Sun is fully covered. As soon as the first bright sliver returns, put them back on. An annular eclipse has no such safe phase.
Practical tip
Inspect your glasses beforehand; they should not be scratched or damaged. If in doubt, use projection. For more on observing, see how to watch the sky, and check dates in the eclipse calendar.
Questions and answers
Are regular sunglasses enough?
No. Even very dark sunglasses do not reduce sunlight enough. You need dedicated eclipse glasses that meet the proper standard.
When can I look without a filter?
Only during totality of a total solar eclipse, when the Sun is entirely covered. Before and after it, keep the glasses on.
Related articles
Solar Eclipse: How It Happens and How to WatchHow to Stargaze: A Beginner’s GuideHow to Photograph a Solar Eclipse SafelyThe Sun: Our StarSources
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