How to Safeguard Your Eyes for an Unforgettable Annular Eclipse Experience

Join CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay updated on captivating discoveries, scientific progress, and more. Don't miss out on the spectacular "ring of fire" that will grace the skies of the Americas this Saturday during an annular solar eclipse.

Astronomers urge individuals residing within the 125-mile-wide (201-kilometer-wide) eclipse path spanning across North, Central, and South America to relish this extraordinary phenomenon, which will not occur again until 2046. However, it is crucial to prioritize safety when observing this celestial event as conventional sunglasses do not provide adequate eye protection.

Beautiful mountain landscape. Famous Thor's Hammer hoodoo. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

MargaretW/iStockphoto/Getty Images

Experience the excitement of Eclipse Fever as we gear up for the upcoming ring of fire eclipse. Annular solar eclipses, also known as the "ring of fire," occur when the moon is positioned farthest from Earth in its orbit, allowing the sun to partially shine through. Witness the captivating sight of the sun's fiery light encircling the shadow of the moon, creating the legendary ring of fire phenomenon.

Weather permitting, a crescent-shaped partial solar eclipse, in which the moon covers only a portion of the sun, can be observed in all 49 continental US states, including Alaska, as stated by NASA.

Whether or not your area allows for viewing the annular or partial solar eclipse, a portion of the sun's intense light will always remain visible. It is not only uncomfortable but also hazardous to directly look at the sun's brightness without any protection.

Reasons to Avoid Directly Looking at the Eclipse

According to NASA, it is crucial to refrain from directly observing the eclipse except during the "totality," where the moon fully obscures the sun's light. The upcoming total solar eclipse, set to occur on April 8, 2024, will traverse North America.

"There are various types of eclipses, necessitating different safety measures," explained Dr. Carrie Black, program officer for the National Solar Observatory at the National Science Foundation. "During an annular eclipse, when the sun's surface is not completely obscured, it is imperative to consistently wear protective eyewear or view the event indirectly."

Looking directly at the sun can lead to vision impairment or even permanent blindness. In 2017, a young woman suffered from solar retinopathy, a condition caused by retinal damage from exposure to solar radiation, in both eyes. Doctors suspected that she used eclipse glasses that did not meet safety standards during the eclipse viewing.

There is no treatment for solar retinopathy. It can improve or worsen, but it is a permanent condition.

Using eclipse glasses and solar viewers

In order to witness the annular eclipse, it is crucial to wear eclipse glasses that are certified and compliant with ISO 12312-2. It is recommended to purchase these glasses from safe and reliable online sellers. Alex Lockwood, strategic content and integration lead for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters, emphasizes the significance of obtaining a pair of these certified glasses to view this extraordinary event.

Sunglasses wont work in place of eclipse glasses or solar viewers, which are 100,000 times darker and held to an international safety standard.

A waterfront park in Yokohama, near Tokyo, provided the perfect setting to witness the moon gracefully moving across the sun, creating a breathtaking halo of bright light. On Monday, May 21, 2012, millions of people in Asia had the opportunity to witness the rare and mesmerizing phenomenon known as an annular eclipse. During this event, the moon positioned itself in front of the sun, revealing a radiant golden ring encircling its edges. The spectacle captivated wide areas across the continent, leaving many in awe of the celestial display. The moment was beautifully captured by Shuji Kajiyama in this photograph. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

To witness the final ring of fire eclipse until 2046, utilize solar eclipse glasses with lenses crafted from black polymer or resin infused with carbon particles. These lenses effectively block out a significant portion of visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, as confirmed by The Planetary Society. It is important to note that regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection against infrared radiation.

To ensure the safety of customers, we recommend referring to the meticulously assembled list by the American Astronomical Society which includes reliable producers and distributors of eclipse glasses and filters for various optical devices like cameras and smartphones.

Prior to gazing at the eclipse, remember to wear your protective eclipse glasses and kindly divert your vision from the sun before taking them off. It is imperative to carefully monitor children wearing eclipse glasses to prevent them from removing them while observing the sun.

If you usually wear eyeglasses, the American Astronomical Society suggests wearing eclipse glasses over them or using a handheld viewer in front of them.

According to NASA, it is important not to look at the sun through any unfiltered optical device, such as a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars, while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer. This is because the concentrated solar rays can still burn through the filter on the glasses or viewer, potentially causing severe eye damage.

On August 21, 2017, individuals gathered on the grounds of Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California, U.S. to witness the solar eclipse unfold. The exact location coordinates for this captivating image are 34°7'9"N 118°18'1"W. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Want to see next years total solar eclipse? Make plans now

It is also possible to safely view the eclipse by using welding filters. This is because the international safety standard for viewing the sun was partially derived from the use of such filters.

Welding filters, which are typically made of tempered glass or metal-coated polycarbonate, can be used for safe viewing. It is recommended to choose filters with a shade number of 12 or higher. According to the American Astronomical Society, many people find shade numbers 13 or 14 to be the best, as they are similar to wearing eclipse glasses. However, it is important to note that the sun will appear green instead of the usual yellowish-orange or white. These filters may not be readily available at supply stores, but they can be purchased online.

Auto-darkening or adjustable welding helmets arent recommended because they may not darken quickly enough to view the sun.

Prepare for the next eclipse

As long as your eclipse glasses or solar viewers are in compliance with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and remain undamaged, torn, or scratched, they do not have an expiration date and can be utilized indefinitely. Furthermore, there are no constraints on the duration of time you can safely observe the sun while wearing them.

A total solar eclipse is seen on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 above Madras, Oregon.

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

During the 2024 total solar eclipse, it is important to note that the outdated warnings regarding the usage of glasses and viewers for extended periods of time or discarding them after three years do not apply to ISO 12312-2-certified viewers. This information has been confirmed by the American Astronomical Society.

To safeguard your eclipse glasses and viewers for the upcoming total solar eclipse in April, store them in an envelope or their original packaging at room temperature to prevent any scratches.

Avoid using water, glass cleaner, baby wipes, or any other wet wipes to clean your eclipse glasses, as the moisture may separate the cardboard frames from the lenses. Instead, delicately wipe the lenses using a tissue or cloth.

You can view eclipses indirectly by using a pinhole projector, like making a hole in an index card. Simply stand with your back to the sun, hold up the card, and observe the projected image of the crescent or ring-shaped sun on the ground or other surfaces.

Do not stare directly at the sun using a pinhole.

Alternative pinhole projectors that may be readily available to use include colanders, straw hats, or any object with small holes. Alternatively, you can create a waffle pattern by spacing out your fingers and crossing them over each other to observe the sun's crescent during a partial eclipse or a ring during an annular eclipse.

Standing by a leafy tree? The small spaces between leaves will dapple patterns of the eclipse phase on the ground.