View the Eclipse through Telescopes, Binoculars, and similar Optical Devices
Viewing the eclipse through a telescope or binoculars can give you a more defined and magnified view of the solar eclipse however extra precautions must be used to protect your eyes. Never use ordinary sunglasses to view the eclipse directly or through telescopes or binoculars! Also, do not use simple direct viewing or paper eclipse glasses with the telescope or binoculars! Your pupils are very small in diameter compared to a telescope or binoculars which have a much larger diameter and greater light gathering potential. Direct eclipse viewing glasses cannot filter that much light and will result in eye damage if viewing the sun through a telescope or binoculars.
To safely view an eclipse through a telescope, binoculars or similar optical devices, purchase a solar filter directly from a NASA approved vendor. The filter should be ISO certified and allow only .001% of the sun’s light to pass through to the device. Place the filter over the FRONT(faces the sun) lens of your binoculars or telescope. DO NOT place the filter over the back lenses which face your eyes. Some filter can be bought to fix specifically on your optical device but can expensive. Solar filters can also be purchased in sheets ($15 to $35) which can be cut to size and taped or attached with rubber bands to the FRONT lens of your device. Just be sure that whatever method of attachment you use provides a snug fit so it does not fall off during viewing. Once again, do not use simple eclipse glasses with any optical device such as a telescope or binoculars. Even with protective eclipse glasses or eclipse filters, do not view the sun continuously for more than a few minutes before taking a few minute break! The eclipse will be going on for a few hours, no need to watch every second. Never leave children unattended while viewing the eclipse with any protective filter or eclipse glasses.
Currently Amazon is doing a huge recall on many direct (paper) eclipse viewing devices so we recommend that all eclipse glasses and solar filters be directly purchased only from NASA approved vendors: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
To celebrate the 2017 eclipse, we are having an eclipse viewing event from 11:30 am-2:30 pm on August 21st. Please join us at Complete Family Eyecare in Burnsville, MN. We will be providing eclipse glasses as well as binoculars and a telescope to safely view the eclipse. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. We hope to see you there!
