How to Safely Watch the Oct. 23 Partial Solar Eclipse

[yuiyoshida]

During the late afternoon of Oct. 23, 2014, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from much of North America before sundown. Partial eclipses occur when the moon blocks part of the sun from view.

› Share your photos of the eclipse with NASA
› Images of previous solar eclipses: 2012 | 2013

Throughout history, total eclipses, in which the entire sun is blocked from view, have offered scientists the chance to see the faint light of the sun's atmosphere called the corona, without its being overwhelmed by the sun itself. Total eclipses provide views of that atmosphere, which we otherwise can only get with specialized telescopes – both in space and on the ground -- that block out the bright light of the sun. As a partial eclipse, the Oct. 23 eclipse is of less scientific interest, but it still makes for a great view!

On Oct. 23, 2014, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from much of North America before sundown.
During the late afternoon of Oct. 23, 2014, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from much of North America before sundown. However, it is never safe to look at the sun with the naked eye.
Image Credit:
NASA/Sinclair
However, it is never safe to look at the sun with the naked eye. Even during a partial eclipse, when only a very small part of the sun is visible, viewing it without eye protection risks permanent eye damage or blindness. Listed below are a few ways of safely watching the eclipse. No matter which recommended technique you choose, do not stare continuously at the sun. Take breaks and give your eyes a rest. And, remember, don't use regular sunglasses -- they don't offer your eyes sufficient protection.



http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/how-to-safely-watch-the-october-23-partial-solar-eclipse/index.html?utm_content=buffered058&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.VEj_82fNvMp

[brush]

1. Here's a low-tech method that works really well

Get a flat piece glass, maybe from a picture frame, light a candle and let the soot from the candle blacken the glass, and "voila" — the perfect eclipse view from just a couple of household items.

[fifthoffive]

2. Not according to the linked site.

Unsafe filters include color film, some non-silver black and white film, medical x-ray films with images on them, smoked glass, photographic neutral density filters and polarizing filters. Solar filters designed to thread into eyepieces, which are often sold with inexpensive telescopes are also dangerous.

[brush]

3. I've done it several times . . .

during the last solar eclipse, what was it, three years ago, it worked perfectly.

Try it before you knock it and learn something. It blocks out the sunlight and all you see through the blackened glass is the orange orb of the sun with a portion of it covered by the moon.

[CBGLuthier]

4. Just because you could see the sun does not mean you did not damage your eyes

but hey, they are your eyes so have at it man.

Anyone who follows your advice should think of you when they have problems years from now.

[brush]

6. You don't stare at the image for forever, for God's sake.

Sometimes actual hands-on, life experience trumps quotes from websites.

The black soot blocks out everything but the orange image of the sun partially block by the moon.

It's an old school method learned from an elementary school teacher years ago.

It works, you look at it, don't glare for forever, done.

[MineralMan]

5. Here's another simple solar eclipse viewer:

Couple of pieces of posterboard, a small square of aluminum foil, a pin, and that's all you need. The pinhole in the aluminum foil acts as a pinhole lens to project the sun's image safely onto the viewing screen. Takes five minutes to make. You can use any type of cardboard, or just a cardboard box. Put the aluminum foil with the pinhole over a cutout on one end and view the image on the other end. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.