Eclipse 2024: Keep Your Eyes Protected
Take proper precautions when viewing the eclipse, like glasses that use ISO 12312-2 international safety standards.
As celestial events go, few capture the imagination and wonder of humanity quite like a solar eclipse. The awe-inspiring sight of the moon passing between the Earth and the sun, casting a temporary shadow on our planet, is a rare and breathtaking phenomenon.
On April 8, 2024, nature enthusiasts, astronomers, and curious onlookers will gather in New York’s Adirondack Mountains to witness the eclipse—a momentous occasion that demands both wonder and caution. With excitement building for this cosmic spectacle, NASA and other experts advise anyone planning to watch the eclipse to prioritize eye safety to ensure a memorable and safe viewing experience.
Eclipse eye safety Precautions
Observing a solar eclipse without adequate eye protection can cause severe and irreversible damage to your vision. Wearing sunglasses alone DOES NOT provide sufficient protection for your eyes.
The intense radiation emitted by the sun, even when partially obscured by the moon, can burn the retina, leading to solar retinopathy—a condition characterized by blurred vision, blind spots, and even permanent blindness.
1) Use only certified solar filters.
Only view the Eclipse through specialized solar filters specifically designed for this purpose. These devices, such as eclipse glasses or solar viewers, are equipped with certified solar filters that block harmful ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation while allowing safe viewing of the sun.
A list of eclipse glasses suppliers is available on the American Astronomical Society website.
2) Inspect your equipment before the Eclipse.
Before the Eclipse begins, thoroughly inspect your solar viewing equipment for any signs of damage or wear. Scratched or punctured filters can compromise effectiveness, putting your eyes at risk. Ensure that your eclipse glasses or viewers are in pristine condition before use.
3) Keep an eye on the Lil’ ADKers.
If children are joining you to witness the Eclipse, closely supervise them to ensure they understand the importance of eye safety. Please provide your Lil’ ADKers with adequately fitted eclipse glasses and instruct them on using the eyewear correctly. Never leave children unattended during the event.
4) Beware of counterfeit products.
Only purchase solar viewing products from reputable vendors and manufacturers. Beware of counterfeit or uncertified eclipse glasses, which may not provide adequate protection against solar radiation. Verify that your eclipse glasses bear the appropriate certification marks, such as the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
5) Learn about alternative viewing methods.
Another way to witness the solar Eclipse is through indirect viewing using a pinhole projector (see instructional video below). This easy-to-make device projects an image made through a pinhole using an average cardboard container, like a cereal or shoe box. The pinhole method lets you observe the Eclipse indirectly without risking eye damage.
Let Parker show you how to make a pinhole projector.
Watch this brief, fun, helpful video starring Parker, which shows us how to make a pinhole projector to view the solar Eclipse in just a few easy steps.
The Adirondack region will offer breathtaking views of this extraordinary cosmic event, with numerous special events and fantastic locations to experience it. For more information about where to view the Eclipse in the Adirondacks and events, check out ADK Taste’s Eclipse web page.
