Solar Eclipse Eye Safety: Glasses, Viewers and Pinholes

The one rule

NASA puts it in a single sentence: except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.

Everything else on this page is about how to follow that rule.

Partial and annular eclipses: protection the whole time

During a partial or annular eclipse there is no moment when the Sun is fully covered. NASA says that means it is never safe to look directly without proper eye protection. Even a thin ring or crescent of exposed Sun is too bright.

That applies to both of the annular eclipses in our eclipse calendar (February 17, 2026 and February 6, 2027), and to anyone outside the narrow path of totality during a total eclipse, who sees only a partial eclipse.

Option 1: eclipse glasses or a handheld viewer

NASA's guidance on solar viewers:

• Eclipse glasses are not sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker.
• Look for ISO 12312-2. NASA says safe viewers ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand.
• Inspect before use. If the glasses or viewer are torn, scratched or otherwise damaged, throw them away.
• Supervise children using solar viewers at all times.
• Wear them the whole time you look at a partial or annular eclipse.

Option 2: indirect viewing with a pinhole

If you don't have eclipse glasses, NASA suggests an indirect method, where you never look at the Sun at all.

Simple pinhole: punch a small hole in an index card. Stand with the Sun at your back and hold the card so sunlight passes through the hole onto another surface. You'll see a small projected image of the Sun, which turns into a crescent during the partial phases. NASA's warning: do not look at the Sun through the pinhole.

Box projector: NASA describes making one from a cardboard box, white paper, tape, scissors and aluminum foil. Tape foil over a hole on one side, punch a pinhole in the foil, tape white paper inside on the opposite side, and look in through a second hole while the Sun is behind you.

Kitchen colander: NASA notes the round holes of a colander project crescent shapes onto the ground during the partial phases. Tree leaves can do the same thing.

Option 3: filtered binoculars or telescopes (with expert help)

Optics concentrate sunlight. NASA warns that viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front will instantly cause severe eye injury.

• Never combine eclipse glasses with binoculars, a telescope or a camera. NASA says the concentrated rays will burn through the glasses' filter.
• Optics need their own solar filter attached to the front (the Sun-facing end), never at the eyepiece.
• With a proper front filter, you don't need eclipse glasses as well.
• NASA recommends seeking expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with any optical device.

Total eclipses: the exception, and only for a few minutes

During a total solar eclipse, NASA's sequence is:

1. Use eclipse glasses or a handheld viewer throughout the partial phases before totality.
2. When the Moon completely covers the Sun's bright face, you can remove them and look directly. You'll know it's safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through your glasses.
3. As soon as even a little bright Sun reappears, put the glasses back on or use your viewer.

Totality is brief. For the August 2, 2027 eclipse, NASA lists a maximum of 6 minutes 23 seconds at the point of greatest eclipse, and most places in the path get less. See our August 2027 eclipse guide.

Don't forget your skin

NASA points out that during any eclipse the Sun is still very bright, and if you watch the whole event you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Wear sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing.

Lunar eclipses are different

Everything above is about solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses, when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, are safe to watch with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope, because you're looking at the Moon, not the Sun.

Quick checklist

• ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or handheld viewer, inspected for damage.
• A pinhole card as backup.
• No sunglasses, no smoked glass, no unfiltered optics.
• Front-mounted solar filters for any binoculars, telescopes or cameras, with expert advice.
• Sunscreen and a hat.

Common questions

Can I look at a solar eclipse with sunglasses?

No. NASA says regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker.

Is it safe to look during totality?

Only during the total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the Sun's bright face. NASA says you'll know it's safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses. Put them back on as soon as any bright Sun reappears.

Is an annular eclipse safe to look at?

No. There is no totality during an annular or partial eclipse, so NASA says it is never safe to look without proper eye protection at any point.

Can I use my eclipse glasses with binoculars?

No. NASA warns that concentrated light through optics will burn through the glasses' filter and cause serious eye injury. Binoculars and telescopes need a special solar filter attached to the front.