Looking directly at the sun — even during a partial eclipse — can cause permanent eye damage or blindness within seconds. Totality is the only phase when naked-eye viewing is safe, and only for the exact duration of totality.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only. nexteclipse.org accepts no liability for eye injury or damage resulting from solar observation. Always verify that any eclipse filter or viewer carries the ISO 12312-2 certification mark before use, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. When in doubt, use a pinhole projector — it carries no risk.
The sun emits intense infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation. Your eye has no pain receptors in the retina, so damage accumulates silently — you may not notice vision loss until hours later. Even a fraction of a second of unfiltered exposure can burn the retina (solar retinopathy), causing permanent blind spots or loss of central vision.
During a total eclipse, the moment the moon fully covers the sun (second contact, C2) it is safe to remove filters and view the corona with the naked eye. You must replace filters before the sun re-emerges (third contact, C3). Use the contact times on this site as a guide, but watch for the diamond ring effect — it is your visual cue.
The following items do not provide adequate protection against solar radiation, even if they appear to darken the sun visually:
A pinhole projector lets you watch the eclipse indirectly — you observe a projected image of the sun on a screen, never the sun itself.
A smaller hole gives a sharper image; a larger hole gives a brighter one. Distance between card and screen controls image size.
Children need constant supervision. Ensure eclipse glasses fit snugly and that children understand they must not remove them during partial phases.
Pets generally do not look at the sun instinctively, but bring them indoors or to shaded areas if they seem agitated.
Cameras and phones require a solar filter on the lens before pointing at the sun. Unfiltered camera sensors can be permanently damaged. During totality, filters may be removed for corona shots.