

But, please, double-check to make sure that the goggles you intend to use are the right kind. Welders planning to observe the solar eclipse may or may not be in luck, as some welding filters will adequately protect your eyes from the sun. Both types of filters will reduce visible light down to safe levels. Most eclipse glasses and solar viewers use the black polymer, which is a flexible resin infused with carbon particles. Sunglasses are typically made of glass, plastic or some kind of polycarbonate material, while solar filters are made of one of two materials: polyester film coated in aluminum, or something called "black polymer," Fienberg explained. "The filters that are made for looking at the sun are typically 100,000 times darker." "Normal sunglasses typically let in between 10 and 20 percent of daylight…but that's still way too bright," Fienberg told. You should never look directly at the sun while wearing sunglasses, no matter how tinted your lenses may be. Labels on the viewers (or packaging) must include the name of the manufacturer, instructions for safe use and warnings of the dangers of improper use.Įclipse glasses and sunglasses might look somewhat similar, but they are made of very different materials.Handheld viewers must be large enough to cover both eyes.
#HOW TO SEE THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT GOGGLES FREE#
#HOW TO SEE THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT GOGGLES ISO#
The ISO is an independent organization that writes safety and quality standards for all kinds of things, including eyewear, health care, food production and more based on a broad consensus of the scientific community.

Even if a product is advertised as a solar viewer, it's important to look for a label that says ISO, which stands for the International Organization for Standardization. Just because something looks like suitable eye protection doesn't mean it's safe to use. When it comes to solar-eclipse glasses and other solar viewers, it's important to ensure that the product you're using is safe and effective at blocking harmful radiation from the sun. If you're looking to buy eclipse glasses online, try to buy directly from one of the approved vendors. If you haven't purchased eclipse viewers yet, be sure to purchase a pair from one of the manufacturers or vendors that have been approved by the American Astronomical Society. If you have already purchased eclipse glasses, there are ways to test whether your glasses are safe to use.
