Solar Eclipse safety shades
Safety shades are the most convenient method
How are eclipse glasses different from regular sunglasses? They are much, much, much more effective at blocking visible light. Researchers measure this using VLT (Visible LIght Transmittance), a standard for comparing different types of glasses.
Clear glass transmits more than 90 percent of visible light. Regular sunglasses can transmit anywhere from 15 percent to 30 percent of visible light. Mount Everest explorers, skiers and others who are outdoors in high altitudes might use extra-dark "glacier glasses," which transmit from 4 percent to 10 percent of visible light.
Eclipse glasses surpass all other glasses in eye protection; they transmit less than 1 percent of visible light. They also block 100 percent of all UVA and UVB light, which is not visible. They are the only glasses that provide adequate eye protection for viewing the Sun during eclipses and transits.
To save your vision, you must use eclipse glasses correctly. They must be in mint condition, with no holes or creases. They must shield your eyes completely when you look at the Sun. They must be used only for naked-eye viewing.
Solar Eclipse safety shades will be available for purchase at many retail outlets around Port Douglas and at the David Reneke Astronomy Lectures.
*Important Note: Read the instructions! Some of these shades are only rated for continuous viewing for viewing 30 seconds at a time!
IMPORTANT FACTS
Solar viewing glasses in a protective case will be available for sale during the David Reneke Astronomy Lectures for $4.95 each.
These cardboard "glasses" use special filter materials that effectively cut all wavelengths of light including the dangerous IR and UV that de facto materials pass to your eyes.
Other suitable filters are a number 14 arc welding filter available from welding suppliers or a special solar filters available from astronomical suppliers designed to be attached to telescopes or binoculars.
Using materials from around the home as de facto solar filters is very dangerous. These materials don't filter the dangerous UV and IR rays and can lead to blind spots even though the image looks dark enough to the eye.
Examples of unsuitable filters include pinholes, photographic film negatives, cd's/DVD's, smoked glass and silvered confectionary wrappers among many others.