Solar Eclipse 2024: What are ISO-certified eclipse glasses and why should you wear them?
American Astronomical Society, the best way to watch an eclipse while protecting ones eyes is by adopting 'ISO 12312-2:2015' certified eyewear. This specifies the properties that a solar viewer should have in order to protect your eyes from injury and provide a comfortable view. The world is witnessing a rare phenomenon- the total solar eclipse today.
In a total solar eclipse the moon passes between the sun and Earth, entirely covering the face of the sun along a small path of our planet's surface. Monday's total solar eclipse will be visible in the North and South America. During a total solar eclipse the daytime sky turns dark, akin to dusk or dawn.
In places along the path of totality, people will be able to view the sun's corona - the star's outer atmosphere - that typically is not visible because of solar brightness. People observing from outside the path of totality will see a partial eclipse in which the moon obscures most of the sun's face but not all of it. After this one, the next total solar eclipse viewable from the contiguous United States will not occur until 2044.
Eclipse glasses are necessary for viewing a partial or total solar eclipse. These glasses are different than regular sunglasses or tinted glasses. Genuine eclipse glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, which determines the specific criteria for safe eclipse viewing.
Eclipse glasses should 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. ISO 12312-2 standard lays the eclipse glasses guidelines that provide sufficient protection from harmful sun exposure while viewing the eclipse. During a solar eclipse, it's never safe to view
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