36 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

International Journal Of The Whole Child 

2017, VOL. 2, NO. 1 

 

 
 
 
Solar Eclipse Safety 

 
Larry L. Burrissª 

 
ªMiddle Tennessee State University 

 

Dr. Larry L. Burriss, B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D., J.D., LtCol USAF, is a professor in the College of Media 

and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University.  He is a strong advocate for First Amendment 

freedoms and particularly interested in issues related to media and national security. 
 
 

 
Here are links to the NASA and MTSU web pages related to the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse.  Pay particular 

attention to the links related to safety. 
 

 
 
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/ 

http://mtsu.edu/eclipse 

 
 
Or, do this Google search: “solar eclipse” site: edu 

 
 
 
There are several safe ways to view the eclipse, and many web sites will give you important information 

about how to do so. But, because of the dangers involved, let’s look at what NOT to do: 
 

 
 
DO NOT look directly at the sun unless you are using special “eclipse glasses” or #14 welder’s glass. 

Looking at the sun with unprotected eyes could lead to permanent blindness.  No type of regular 

sunglasses will protect your eyes if you look directly at the sun. 
 

 
 
DO NOT point your camera directly at the sun unless you are using a special sun filter mounted on the 

camera. Neutral density filters will NOT work. 

http://mtsu.edu/eclipse
http://mtsu.edu/eclipse


37 
 

 
DO NOT try to hold # 14 welder’s glass in front of your camera and try to take a picture. If the glass 

slips out of position you could burn out the camera or your eyes. 
 

 
 
DO NOT point your unprotected camera at the sun then look through the view finder, even if you are 

wearing “eclipse glasses.” You will burn out the sensor in your camera and possibly burn a hole in 

your glasses, leading to damage to the retina in your eye. 
 

 
 
We’re somewhat reluctant to say this, but you can look directly at the sun, BUT ONLY DURING 

TOTALITY. 
 

 
 
By the way, looking at the sun wearing regular sunglasses can cause even more damage.  That’s 

because although the glasses make the sun darker they do not block ultraviolet rays, which are what 

causes the damage.  So you may be able to look at the sun longer without pain, but the damage will 

still be there. 
 

 
 
You may come across numerous web sites where the owner say they stared at the sun without damage. 

But they don’t tell you the whole story. Yes, you can look at the sun without damage, but only within 

10 minutes of sunset and sunrise when the sun is low on the horizon and the atmosphere scatters the 

harmful ultraviolet rays. 
 

 
 
We do not recommend doing a simple Google search to find information on sun-safety.  You will find too 

much misleading information (see the paragraph above). Many colleges and universities, however, have 

launched eclipse-related sites, and they are easy to find:  (1) Go to Google.com (2) In the search box put 

< “solar eclipse” site:edu > (without the brackets). This will take you to hundreds of university web sites 

related to the eclipse.