Viewing it Safely

There's a solar eclipse coming to the U.S. on August 21, 2017. Are you ready?

Here are safety tips for watching the Aug. 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, including when it is safe to remove your eclipse glasses.

With the US set to experience its first “coast-to-coast” total eclipse in 99 years, NASA has issued guidelines on how to safely watch the rare phenomenon.

Looking directly at the Sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”), when the Moon entirely blocks the Sun’s bright face, which will happen only within the narrow path of totality. To find out whether your home or any other specific location is within the path on August 21, 2017, see Xavier Jubier's Google Map, which supports zooming in to street level.

Total Solar Eclipse 2017 - On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation.

Don't forget special glasses, solar filters and common sense.

Never look directly at the Sun with your eyes or through a telescope, binocular or any other optical aid! Looking directly at the Sun is extremely harmful to the human eye; when you look at the Sun with your unprotected eyes you are damaging your eyes in a manner similar to burning paper or tree leaves by focusing Sunrays with a magnifying lens.

Always take precautions when watching a solar eclipse. Never look directly at the Sun without proper protective gear. DIY eclipse projector in a box.

On Aug. 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will darken the skies from Oregon to South Carolina. Here's what you need to know about this rare celestial show.

For schools, organizations, businesses, clubs and individuals who need bulk quantities of solar eclipse glasses (50+), we are offering the ability to purchase solar eclipse glasses for $0.50 (50 cents) each. This represents our cost, plus 10-cents which will be put towards our charitable contributions to various organizations. We will be accepting orders until July 15, 2017 to ensure that we get these to you in time for the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse event.

We’re thrilled to be offering at a greatly reduced cost ISO and CE certified viewing glasses to individuals and families to enjoy the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse safely! We realize what a special event this is for may families and want to do our part to help make it a truly memorable experience! As part of this effort we will also be visiting shopping centers and community groups during the summer of 2017 in Carbondale, IL, Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Chesterfield, MO, and Boonville, MO to distribute both glasses as well as other educational materials.