The Greatest Solar Eclipse in Our Lifetime is on Monday: Here’s How to Buy Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses and Viewers

A total eclipse of the sun will take place Monday afternoon in the United States and some astronomers have described it as likely to be the greatest solar eclipse across the U.S. in our lifetime.
It’s important to have proper eyewear or to use a pinhole camera you can make yourself to view it. Regular sunglasses, even ones with very dark lenses, are not safe to use to view the eclipse.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the eclipse will begin around 2 p.m. EDT. The shadow of the moon will start out by moving slowly across Texas, up through Arkansas, then over southern Missouri, southern Illinois, and into Indianapolis. From there it will continue over Ohio and up through the northeastern United States. A total of 13 states are in the eclipse’s path of totality.
A diagram showing the use of a camera obscura, or pinhole viewer
When buying eclipse glasses, look for an approved manufacturer on the astronomical society’s website and make sure the glasses have the ISO certification with ISO 12312- 2 printed on the inside and that the maker is registered with the American Astronomical Society, or AAS, as a solar viewer brand.
Just follow these steps to ensure the safest possible eclipse-viewing experience:
1.)       By directly from sellers approved by the ASA
2.)       Make sure that the glasses are not scratched or torn or in any way damaged
3.)       Check that the glasses block nearly all light: Only the brightest light should be visible and only faintly visible at that
You can also make a camera obscura, literally a pinhole camera, using a cardboard box and wax paper or a pinhole viewer.
To make the latter, take two sheets of white card stock and make a hole in the middle of one of the sheets sheet. With your back to the sun, hold the sheet with the hole over the other sheet and adjust them until you see a dot of light in order to see the sun. As the moon travelers across the sun, a crescent will appear as well.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)