Solar-eye safety is simple if one rule is remembered: whenever any bright part of the Sun’s photosphere is visible, direct viewing requires appropriate solar protection. A total eclipse creates one exceptional interval — complete totality — when the photosphere is fully covered.
Use proper eclipse viewers
Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, photographic film and improvised dark materials are not safe substitutes for certified eclipse viewers. Inspect viewers before use and discard them if they are damaged.
Optical equipment needs its own filter
Never look through binoculars, a telescope, camera lens or similar magnifying optics while wearing eclipse glasses unless the instrument itself has the correct solar filter mounted at the front. Concentrated sunlight can damage eyes and equipment.
During complete totality
If — and only if — you are inside the path of totality and the bright photosphere has disappeared completely, direct viewing is safe for that brief total phase. The moment a bright point of sunlight returns, protection must be restored.
Children need active supervision
Adults should explain when protection is required, help younger children fit viewers securely and supervise the transitions before and after totality.
Know whether your location is actually total
A location outside the totality path never reaches the safe unfiltered interval. Use official eclipse data or an exact-coordinate calculator rather than assuming that a high eclipse percentage means totality.