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Total Solar Eclipse 2024: How to safely watch the rare event

Regular sunglasses won't cut it, so in order to safely watch the celestial spectacle, you need special type of eye protection.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the excitement builds and plans start coming together for the upcoming total solar eclipse, it is important that you and your family know how to view the eclipse safely.

You must use what are called ISO certified safe solar eclipse glasses.

These glasses protect your eyes when the sun is not yet fully eclipsed. Keep in mind, sunglasses and most welding filters are not dark enough to protect your eyes and can lead to damage. 

Once the sky is dark, you'll see the solar corona; that's your cue to take off your glasses to view. The solar corona is a glowing white ring around the sun, made of gasses. They are usually hidden by the bright lights of the sun.

Credit: WHAS11

For areas of the United States that will only see a partial solar eclipse, you will have to keep your glasses on for the entire event. Outside of totality, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the sun without eclipse glasses.

RELATED: How to safely watch the total solar eclipse: 4 Fast Facts

Credit: WHAS11

Remember that eclipse glasses do have a shelf life and you cannot reuse glasses from previous eclipses.

RELATED: Types of solar eclipses: Which will move over Kentucky, Indiana in April?

Get your free ISO certified solar eclipse glasses at any Eclipse Bank location in Louisville while supplies last. There is a limit of two glasses per person.

Credit: WHAS11

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