The Moon will blot out the Sun for millions of people in a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. As the rare astronomical event approaches us, it is important that skygazers wear the correct ISO-certified eclipse glasses.
According to the American Astronomical Society, the best way to view the eclipse while protecting your eyes is to wear ‘ISO 12312-2:2015’ certified eyewear. It specifies the properties that a solar viewer must have to protect your eyes from injury and provide comfortable viewing.
What is a total solar eclipse?
The world is witnessing a rare phenomenon today – a total solar eclipse. In a total solar eclipse the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun on a short path across our planet’s surface.
Monday’s total solar eclipse will be visible in North and South America.
During a total solar eclipse the sky becomes dark during the day, such as dusk or dawn.
In locations along the path of totality, people will be able to see the Sun’s corona – the star’s outer atmosphere – which is not normally visible due to solar glare. Those observing from outside the path of totality will see a partial eclipse in which the Moon obscures most, but not all, of the Sun.
After this, the next total solar eclipse seen in the contiguous United States will not occur until 2044.
What are eclipse glasses?
Eclipse glasses are necessary to view a partial or total solar eclipse. These glasses are different from regular sunglasses or tinted glasses. Genuine eclipse glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, which sets specific criteria for safe eclipse viewing.
Eclipse glasses must have a special solar filter to block the sun’s harmful UV and infrared rays, allowing only a limited amount of visible light to reach the eyes. The ISO 12312-2 standard gives guidelines for eclipse glasses that provide adequate protection from harmful sun exposure while viewing the eclipse.
Risks of wearing unsafe glasses
During a solar eclipse, it is never safe to look at the Sun without wearing proper eclipse glasses. You cannot use camera lenses, telescopes or binoculars without special solar filters because concentrated solar rays can cause serious injury to the eyes.
Always look through eclipse glasses, which are thousands of times darker than normal glasses. Special glasses must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard; Check them for any damage before using them. To avoid problems, buy them only from trusted sellers.
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Published: 08 April 2024, 08:57 PM IST
