Q&A for How to View an Eclipse

No, this would be a very bad idea and can lead to permanent damage to your eyes. Be sure to use the proper filters described in this article.

Absolutely not! It still has the ability to lay permanent damage on your eyes. Do not use a mirror to look at the sun.

No. The reflection would still be bright enough to damage your eyes. There are better low-tech methods available.

You sure can, as long as your eyes are covered by the filtered eclipse lenses!

You should be able to find them at your local welding supply store (or online).

As long as you leave the aluminum secured on the lenses to protect your eyes. Never take it off while looking at the sun; the UVB rays will damage your eyes. However, if used properly, these can be an alternative for amateur eclipse chasers who dream of seeing such awe-inspiring celestial sights!

No, it won't work. A simple piece of card with a pinhole will project a picture onto a sheet of paper, say 3-4 ft away. Then look at the paper, not through the hole.

No. NASA recommends to never use this. The rays will still strike your eyes.

A total solar eclipse happens about every 18 months. There are partials that happen every year.

It depends on the type of equipment used. You could connect the camera directly to the projector, via a video out cable from the camera's port to the projector's video in port, and then project the image onto the projector screen. You also need to use a “solar filter” to keep from harming your camera's imaging sensor, as well as for correct exposure.

Not unless it is a full eclipse. If it is partial, you'll need to use a solar filter and magnifying lenses for your phone's camera.

Of course. I expect there will be live streams from many places on the 21st, from Washington to South Carolina.

Not unless you have a solar filter. The sun could damage your eyes permanently, so you should be safe and use the above list.

No, don't do it. See the comprehensive list above and be safe.

Watching a solar eclipse is about as damaging as looking directly at the sun.

I doubt it. The full force of the sun will be too strong for the phone camera to handle.

Certainly not. The telescope will make it even worse, focusing the blinding light even worse than just looking.

Yes, you can use a cereal or shoe box to create a viewer for an eclipse. This article can give you some tips: How to Make a Simple Solar Viewer .

No, that would unfortunately ruin it. The little hole in the paper is used to let in the smallest amount of light possible.

No! It will completely fry and damage your phone! You need to have a solar filter on your phone.

No, it is not recommended as they have different films and your eyes will not be protected.

Yes. It just depends on when and where one occurs and is visible.

You can, but you still need to have protective glasses or something else to protect your vision. Just closing one eye and keeping the other open would still cause damage to the open eye.

No, you cannot. Plus, the sun would probably do terrible things to your camera lens.

Because even in a total eclipse you would have to look away at the right time (which is hard to tell unless you are an expert), even if the sun is 99.9% blocked, your eyes could still be damaged.

There will be live coverage of the event on NASA's website at nasa.gov. Most likely there will be videos posted on social media sites as well, like Facebook, etc.

No. Sunglasses do not adequately protect the eyes against the sun while the pupil is dilated as much as it is during an eclipse.

Yes, it is safe to view pictures and even video from the eclipse online.

You must wear the glasses at all times. Totality is the only time it is safe to take off your glasses. If I were you, I would keep my glasses on for the whole time.

No. It still has the ability to permanently blind you. Just close the curtains instead.