It is not safe to look at the sun even when only a small part is visible
The rods and cones in the human retina are very sensitive to light. The Sun’s surface is so bright that it produces enough light to permanently damage individual retinal cells. Even during a Solar Eclipse, it is important to wear proper eye protection and give yourself enough time to look away from the sun and put on your protective glasses.
Never look to the Sun and then put on your Eclipse Glasses. Always look down, put on your glasses, and then look up. During an eclipse, your eye’s pupil will dilate in order to allow you to see in the dim light. If a sudden burst of light, such as the ray of Sunlight immediately following totality, were to shine into your pupil, it could damage your vision. Be prepared.
How do you know if you have the right type of solar filter?
Eclipse Glasses are sun safe when they contain a high quality and safety certified solar filter that protects your eyes from the Sun’s harmful rays. It is important that your eclipse glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products, meaning that the manufacturers of the products have been certified to manufacture and sell their products after completing all safety and quality procedures. The ISO 12312-2 certification has replaced all previous CE and AS/NZS requirements.
Avoid unsafe, cheap, and counterfeit filters. There will be many products hitting the marketplace claiming to be “safe”. Purchase your products from well established manufacturers and retailers.
As a reminder, failure to use appropriate filtration may result in permanent eye damage or even blindness!