Prioritize safety if planning to view Solar Eclipse on April 8

Many of us will head outside to watch the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024, but it’s important to keep in mind that you should never look at the sun without proper protection — even when it's mostly eclipsed by the moon.

Eye protection is key and even your most expensive pair of sunglasses won't help.  If your eyes are exposed to the sun without the appropriate protection, it can cause “eclipse blindness,” which can temporarily or permanently damage your eyes. Take precautions to prevent damaging your eyes by wearing an appropriate solar filter, like eclipse glasses, or use a handheld solar viewer.

To ensure safe viewing of the solar eclipse, follow these recommended guidelines from New York State officials: 

• Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse.
• Sunglasses will NOT protect your eyes.
• One way to view a solar eclipse without harming your eyes is by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source. 

To learn more about staying safe during the solar eclipse, visit health.ny.gov or iloveny.com.