When To Remove Your Eclipse Glasses If You’re In The Path Of Totality

Solar eclipse glasses are so important, but on April 8, some people in the path of totality will wear them when they absolutely should not—and lose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of nature’s most beautiful sights.

Let’s be clear: eclipse glasses are an essential tool for anyone planning to observe the partial phases of this solar eclipse. Everyone outside the path of totality will only see partial phases.

However, for those in the 115-mile wide path of totality—the moon’s central shadow that brings darkness—there’s a brief period when eclipse glasses must be removed. If you don’t, you’ll see nothing of the sun’s majestic corona—a sight of which is the reason to travel into the path of totality.

NOTE: This article only applies to those that are in the path of totality, which is set out in this map (below). If you’re not within the path of totality (which you can check on this interactive map, this eclipse simulator and in this eclipse look-up then you’ll see just a partial solar eclipse, which requires solar safety glasses at all times and is not rare or unusual.

Common Misconception

There’s a common misconception that special eyewear is required for this total phase. Watch some videos on YouTube of the “Great American Eclipse” from 2017, and you’ll see people wearing eclipse glasses during totality. There is no sadder sight than seeing people so close to experiencing something extraordinary but failing at the final hurdle because of fear and poor education. These people researched the eclipse, understood the need to get to the path of totality, and then completely messed up. In some videos, parents can say things like “Keep your glasses on, kids!” even when it’s dark and safe to look at the eclipse. Those kids did not see a totally eclipsed sun because their parents did not understand what a total solar eclipse is—and why you would want to experience one.

Perfectly Safe

“If you’re in the path, you need to be sure you understand that you don’t need to wear equipped glasses to see the total phase,” said Dr. Rick Fienberg, Project Manager of the Solar Eclipse AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force, in an interview. “Whatever they might have heard, it is perfectly safe for people to look at totality without eye protection because once the eclipse is total and the moon is completely blocking the sun’s bright face, they need to take that protection off and look with their own eyes.”

Beautiful Sight

There is, of course, a straightforward reason why. A totally eclipsed sun is the most rare and beautiful thing in nature. When you remove eclipse glasses as totality begins, you see the sun’s outer atmosphere, its corona (crown). This corona is about a million times fainter than the sun’s photosphere, the bright yellowy surface that usually completely overwhelms it. The only time the corona is visible to the naked eye is during totality when the moon completely blocks the photosphere. The photosphere is dangerous to look at with the naked eye—not the corona. The corona itself—which appears as a white, wispy halo around the moon during totality—is about the same brightness as the full moon.

So get solar eclipse glasses and safely watch the partial phases—wherever in North America you are—but those within the path of totality must understand that when it goes dark, and totality begins, you must remove your solar eclipse glasses. The sight of your life is at stake.

For the latest on all aspects of April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America, check my main feed for new articles each day.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.