How to Safely Watch a Solar Eclipse

It is never safe to look directly at the sun's rays, even if the sun is partly obscured. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times if you want to face the sun, or use an alternate indirect method. This also applies during a total eclipse up until the time when the sun is completely and totally blocked. During the short time when the moon completely obscures the sun, known as the period of totality, it is safe to look directly at the star, but it's crucial that you know when to take off and put back on your glasses. First and foremost: Check for local information on timing of when the total eclipse will begin and end. NASA's page of eclipse times is a good place to start. Second: The sun also provides important clues for when totality is about to start and end. Published on August 1, 2017 by NASA Goddard