Watching a solar eclipse can be a fascinating experience, but it’s important to do so safely to protect your child’s eyes. Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, as it can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Provide your child with certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, ensuring they block harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared light. Alternatively, you can use a solar viewer or create a pinhole projector to safely observe the eclipse without looking directly at the sun. Regular sunglasses, even if they’re dark, do not provide adequate protection. Always supervise your child when watching an eclipse to ensure they are using safe methods.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, partially or completely blocking the sun’s light. While fascinating to watch, a solar eclipse can pose a serious risk to eyesight.
Why Is It Dangerous to Watch a Solar Eclipse Without Eye Protection?
Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can burn the retina—the part of the eye responsible for vision—within seconds. This damage isn’t painful, so children may not realize their eyes are being harmed. Symptoms of retinal damage can take hours to appear and may include:
- Discomfort when looking at bright lights
- Headaches
More severe symptoms can result from prolonged exposure, such as:
- Blurry vision
- Blind spots
- Difficulty seeing colors or shapes
In most cases, these symptoms improve over time, but it can take months, and sometimes they don’t fully resolve. If your child experiences any eye problems after viewing an eclipse, consult an eye doctor.
Safety Tips for Watching a Solar Eclipse
- Wear Eclipse Glasses or Use a Solar Viewer: Use eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers with lenses thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. The American Astronomical Society recommends using glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Avoid using glasses or viewers if they are damaged.
- Use a Pinhole Projector: A pinhole projector lets you view the eclipse indirectly by projecting its image onto a surface like an index card or a cardboard box. NASA provides step-by-step instructions for making one.
- Watch It Online or on TV: Watching a live stream of the eclipse online or on television is a safe and easy alternative.
Is It Safe to Take Pictures or Record a Solar Eclipse?
It’s not safe to photograph or record a solar eclipse without proper equipment. Eclipse glasses and solar viewers should not be used with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes, as these lenses can intensify the sun’s rays and cause eye damage. Professional photographers use special filters designed to capture the eclipse safely.
Additional Safety Tips
If your child will be outside during the eclipse, protect their skin by using sunscreen and a hat, and consider long-sleeve shirts and pants for added protection.
What Else Should I Know?
Museums, planetariums, and science centers often host solar eclipse viewing events and provide proper eye protection.
A Safer Eclipse to Watch: Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow. Since the moon doesn’t emit its own light, it’s safe to view a lunar eclipse without special eyewear, and there’s no need to worry about eye or skin protection.