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During today’stotal solar eclipse , the only time it is secure to await at the Dominicus without right center shelter is during totality — the thrilling full point when the total disk of the Lord’s Day will be block by the synodic month for up to 4 minute and 27 seconds , depending on the observer ’s location . This will be possible only within a narrowpath of totalitythrough North America .

Everyone outside this track , as well as those within it , will require to use solar glasses or other methods to take in the much longerpartial form of the solar occultation , which will last or so an hour and 20 minutes before and after totality .

Students from Muchin College Prep react as the solar eclipse emerges from behind clouds in Millennium Park in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2017

To be safe, solar eclipse glasses must be ISO 12312-2 certified.

Thankfully , there are pot of ways to relish the fond stage of the occultation without putting your eye at risk . Here are seven easy way of life to safely watch today ’s partial eclipse .

1. Solar eclipse glasses

To be good , solar eclipseglasses must pass the ISO 12312 - 2 certification outgrowth . You ’ll see this authentication print on the arms of solar occultation spyglass , but the only way to guarantee that your solar eclipse looking glass are secure is to purchase them from a provider that has been vet by the American Astronomical Society ( AAS ) . on-line marketer like Amazon and eBay should in general be avert .

It will be too previous to purchase a duad online that will arrive before the eclipse starts , but many local libraries on the course of totality will also bedistributing free eclipse glasseswhile provision last ; hold with your local branch to see if they ’re participating . You might also be prosperous enough to find out a pair in shop , but please check our template on how to findapproved solar occultation glassesand fend off any that may potentially damage your seeing .

Related:10 eldritch things that come about during a solar eclipse

A map of total and partial eclipse coverage across North America on April 8, 2024.

A telescope with a solar filter can greatly enhance your view of the partial eclipse.

2. Handheld solar viewers

These small square of cardboard have a window of the same solar base hit film used to make eclipse glasses , so they can be used in the same direction . As a incentive , you could perforate a hole in the side and fall apart them around your neck opening using a laniard . you may find alist of approve vender from the AAS .

3. Cameras, binoculars or telescopes fitted with solar filters

Another good way of look at a partial solar eclipse is throughbinocularsor atelescopefitted with a certified dependable solar filter design specifically for the task . The filter must go on the objective lens . Never look at the eclipse through unfiltered cameras , binoculars or telescopes , and never use this method acting while you ’re tire eclipse glasses or using a hand-held solar viewer . The saturated solar rays will burn through the filter and get serious centre injury , accord toNASA .

4. H-alpha telescope

A hydrogen - alpha ( H - alpha ) telescope , a favorite of solar astronomers , beam only one specific wavelength of light . You ’ll see sunspots and extrusion ( big , bright sport thatwrithe and curl out of the sunlight ’s airfoil ) through it . An occultation sum some dramatic play to the purview , but you could practice it on any percipient day to look safely at the sun .

5. Solar binoculars

With make - in solar filters on their objective lenses , solar binoculars are project specifically for observing fond solar eclipses . Some use polymer solar filters for a white view of the sun , while others expend glass filter for a yellow - orangeness Lord’s Day . verify they ’re ISO 12312 - 2 compliant .

6. Pinhole projector

Although you canmake your own pinhole cameraat home , an easier and quicker way to view the fond solar occultation indirectly is to apply a cullender or spaghetti shortly . The perfectly uniform holes will project pocket-size crescent Sun onto the floor , the wall — and each other . Some astronomers alsorecommend using a disco ballto project heaps of flyspeck suns onto nearby aerofoil .

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Detail of the sun hidden by the moon in a mobile phone connected to a telescope during an annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

A telescope with a solar filter can greatly enhance your view of the partial eclipse.

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7. Livestreams

It will take you out of the present moment , but a dependable way to keep an eye on the sun during a partial solar eclipse is on-line . Planned livestreams fromExploratorium , Time and DateandNASA TVcould be particularly ready to hand if it ’s turbid where you are on April 8 — or if you find yourself far aside from North America .

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A college student observes the solar eclipse with the “pinhole projector” designed by the students made from waste materials in Edirne, Turkiye on October 25, 2022.

A handheld solar viewer is an alternative to solar eclipse glasses.

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