How to Choose Safe Eclipse Glasses
What ISO 12312-2 means, where to verify a supplier, and why cameras and binoculars require different filters.
Eclipse glasses are safety equipment, not novelty sunglasses. Buy from a supplier you can verify, inspect every viewer before use, and never combine ordinary eclipse glasses with binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses.
The quick take
- Regular sunglasses are not safe for direct solar viewing, regardless of how dark they appear.
- Solar viewers should conform to the ISO 12312-2 standard and come from a traceable supplier.
- Discard glasses that are scratched, torn, punctured, or separating at the seams.
- Cameras, telescopes, and binoculars require purpose-built filters secured over the front of the optics.
Verify the supplier, not just the printing
A seller can print an ISO number on a counterfeit product. The American Astronomical Society maintains a list of suppliers that have demonstrated suitable testing and manufacturing information. Start with that list rather than relying on a marketplace search result or product title.
- Confirm the manufacturer or authorized reseller appears on the AAS safe-supplier list.
- Avoid listings that hide the manufacturer, use only generic photos, or make unsupported NASA-approval claims.
- NASA does not approve individual brands of eclipse glasses.
- Order early enough to inspect the product and replace it if anything looks wrong.
Inspect every viewer before use
Hold the glasses normally and look for scratches, pinholes, tears, warped film, detached seams, or damaged frames. Damaged viewers should be discarded rather than repaired with tape.
- Supervise children and make sure the viewers remain over their eyes while they look toward the Sun.
- Put the viewers on before looking up and turn away before removing them.
- Follow any age, storage, and use instructions printed by the manufacturer.
Do not use eclipse glasses through optics
A camera lens, telescope, or binocular concentrates sunlight. Eclipse glasses worn on your face do not protect against that concentrated energy and can be damaged immediately.
Optical devices need a special-purpose solar filter mounted securely on the Sun-facing front of the device. Seek expert guidance before improvising a camera or telescope setup.
- Never place a solar filter only at the eyepiece.
- Do not hold eclipse glasses in front of binocular eyepieces or a camera viewfinder.
- Use indirect projection when safe direct-viewing equipment is unavailable.
Totality is a special and brief exception
During a total solar eclipse, direct viewing without solar glasses is safe only during the brief interval when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face. Glasses are required throughout the partial phases before and after totality. Partial and annular eclipses never provide a safe unfiltered viewing period.
- When any bright portion of the Sun reappears, put the viewers back on immediately.
- People outside the path of totality will see only a partial eclipse and must keep proper eye protection on.
These are the categories most likely to solve a real planning problem. Drasker will not add a shopping link until a suitable provider and offer have been reviewed.
ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses
Buy only after verifying the manufacturer or authorized reseller against the AAS supplier list.
Handheld solar viewers
Useful for people who wear glasses or prefer a larger viewing surface.
Front-mounted optical solar filters
Required for cameras, telescopes, and binoculars used to look at the Sun.
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