Are Your Solar Eclipse Glasses Safe?

Take the interactive quiz above or scroll down to see the questions and answers.
Learn more about where you can get approved viewing glasses.

WILL YOUR SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES PROTECT YOUR EYES?

Do not look directly at the sun. That’s the most important safety tip to remember during a solar eclipse.

One way to safely view an eclipse is with special-purpose solar eclipse glasses. But how do you know if your solar eclipse glasses will actually protect your eyes? Answer these five questions to find out.

1. Do your glasses have a label that says they are ISO 12312-2 compliant?
☐ Yes
☐ No

2. Did you get your solar eclipse glasses from a reputable source?
☐ Yes
☐ No

3. Are your solar eclipse glasses torn, scratched or punctured?
☐ Yes
☐ No

4. Can you see people or objects through your glasses?
☐ Yes
☐ No

5. If you quickly glance at the sun through the glasses, how does it look?
☐ Uncomfortable bright
☐ Out of focus
☐ Surrounded by a bright haze
☐ None of the above

CORRECT ANSWERS

If you get any of these answers wrong, there is a chance that your solar eclipse glasses may not be safe. They should not be used.

For more information about safe eclipse glasses, visit https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety or https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/

1. Yes. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses are not safe for looking at the sun. According to NASA, the only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters. These filters must be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 (or ISO 12312-2:2015) international safety standard.

2. Yes. Reputable sources include retail stores like Walmart or Best Buy. Glasses from science museums, libraries, colleges and other official sources are also reliable. The American Astronomical Society says many counterfeit eclipse glasses are labeled as if they’re ISO-compliant when they are not. It’s important to obtain your glasses from a reputable source.If you are not sure about your glasses, you can check a complete list of reputable sources at https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

3. No. Solar eclipse glasses are only safe if the lenses are in perfect condition. If the lenses are torn, scratched or punctured, you should not use them.

4. No. The only thing you should be able to see through a safe solar filter is the sun or something comparably bright, according to the American Astronomical Society. You might be able to see the filament of a light bulb or the LED light on your smartphone, but they will appear very dim. If you can see people, objects or even shaded lamps, then the glasses are no good.

5. None of the above. According to the American Astronomical Society, “Safe solar glasses produce a view of the sun that is comfortably bright (like a full moon), in focus, and surrounded by dark sky.” If the glasses are uncomfortably bright, out of focus or surrounded by a bright haze, then they are not safe and you should not use them.

Learn more about where you can get approved viewing glasses or find out how to make a homemade pinhole projector to safely view the solar eclipse.