HOW TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE SAFELY
A solar eclipse is a marvel to behold, blurring fiction and reality as the skies change in ways you can’t imagine. However, breathtaking though it may be, it’s not without a level of risk if you’re careless, and when it comes to safety there’s plenty to consider, some that may not cross your mind with all the excitement. That’s why taking just a moment to be safe will help you enjoy the experience without any unwanted surprises.
How to know your eclipse glasses are safe & how to use them
Let’s start with the obvious. It can’t be stressed enough, starring into the sun without the right kind of protection is dangerous, potentially leading to permanent eye damage, which is not the kind of souvenir you’ll be wanting to bring back with you. Of course, buying solar eclipse glasses is vital, but you’ll need a pair that you know you can trust, and that comes down to having the right markings and certifications that show the glasses you’re buying have been tested and are safe to use.
All solar eclipse glasses need to have ISO 12312-2:2015 Certification, and CE Marking. In brief the ISO 12312-2 is the international standard for solar viewing, this marking shows that the glasses are compliant with all criteria outlined to receive this certification. The CE Marking indicates the product has been 3rd party tested and is required for a product of this nature to be sold within the EU. Both symbols are shown on the glasses and should also have the documentation available for you to read so you’re certain that the solar eclipse glasses you’re wearing will keep you safe. At ORRO, we proudly display our certification for ISO certification, and CE Marking, so you know that our solar eclipse glasses will let you safely observe the eclipse.
Using your solar eclipse glasses is simple enough, simply open the arms of the glasses, making sure they sit nicely on the ears, and the bridge of the glasses sits comfortably on your nose. When viewing the sun make sure you are looking directly through the lens’ and not around any gap at the edge of the glasses. Knowing in advance what kind of eclipse you’ll be seeing will also be important to make sure you get full enjoyment from the eclipse. Depending on where you are, you may be exposed to a partial, or total eclipse, and that will inform whether you’ll be able to take off your glasses at the point of totality or not. Unless you are in the path of totality, where the moon covers the sun in its entirety, you can’t at any stage remove your solar eclipse glasses. Even if you’re in the path of totality, its duration will vary depending on location so make sure you’re familiar with how long totality will last where you are in advance so you can pre-emptively put your glasses back on before it ends.
eclipse viewing tools & getting ready for the eclipse
While it may be tempting to use something like binoculars, or a camera lens to get a closer look at the eclipse, but doing so without the correct equipment is incredibly dangerous, an optical device like a camera requires a specific solar lens to capture photos of the sun, solar eclipse glasses aren’t a substitute for this so placing it over the camera won’t have the desired effect. In no circumstance should you use the optical viewfinder when taking a photo, as the sun’s rays will be intensified through the viewfinder, further intensifying the sun's rays and causing severe eye damage. Despite the name, sunglasses are also not an appropriate tool to observe the eclipse no matter how dark the lenses are, they aren’t designed for direct solar viewing, as they can't filter out the intense UV and Infrared rays produced by the sun. Only a pair of solar eclipse glasses will let you observe the solar eclipse safely.
Getting eclipse ready doesn’t stop with just the right eyewear, enjoying the eclipse safely also involves being ready on the day. You don’t want to be rushing back home or to your venue of choice, fortunately, the timeframe for when the eclipse starts is already set in stone so be sure to check when first contact begins so you can be at your venue of choice in good time, the eclipse is exciting, but it’s not worth being reckless to see it. Another thing to consider is the weather on the day, given the eclipse will be in the summer, there’s a good chance It’ll be hot out there, and if you plan on watching the eclipse in its entirety, that’s roughly two hours under the sun, enough time to leave you with a nasty burn to remember the eclipse by if you’re not careful, so make sure to pack your suncream.
The upcoming solar eclipse is going to be special, but taking all the right precautions will give you peace of mind that when you’re watching the eclipse, your attention can just be on savouring the moment. If you’re still looking for a pair of solar eclipse glasses, it’s not too late! We have our very own ISO 12312-2:2015 Certified, CE Marked solar eclipse glasses, and the perfect companion to aligning you to an otherworldly view.