Eclipse2017.org is committed to bringing the wonder of the total eclipse to everyone - safely!

Every statement and recommendation on this site regarding viewing the eclipse is understood to contain the caveat that proper precautions regarding eye safety will have been taken by the observer, and that it is the observer's full responsibility to ensure that at no time while any part of the sun's photosphere (disk) is visible, will they observe it directly without suitable protective equipment, obtainable from eclipse2017.org and reputable third parties also noted on this site.

Eclipse2017.org considers eye safety to be one of the most important aspects of successfully viewing a total eclipse, and understands the massive amount of misinformation that is out there regarding this critical subject.  We also understand that governmental agencies, schools, and professional organizations universally adopt the most conservative approach possible when advising the public - namely, never to look at sun, ever, under any circumstances, with any type of device, no matter what.  Tempering that with the absolute fact that every day, solar astronomers successfully point their equipment at the sun and perform direct solar viewing without any harm to their eyes whatsoever, is a very difficult challenge.  We will nevertheless make the attempt, because correct information and education is always the best course of action to follow in undertaking an exploration of any adventure in life.  A total eclipse is one of those adventures, and so we will continue attempt to combat misinformation with facts.

Having said that, we must begin our journey with the following:

The responsibility for following all safety precautions in using any suitable solar viewing equipment or methods, and in following proven safe viewing practices, lies solely with the person who owns the eyes that are viewing the eclipse!  Here is a link to a site that discusses eye safety, and all of its recommendations should be followed.  Here is another.  And here is an excellent piece (reproduced with permission) written by Dr. Ralph Chou, a professor of Optometry and veteran eclipse observer.  But it is important to recognize and acknoledge that you alone are responsible for the safety of your eyes. You alone are responsible for 1) determining the suitability for use, 2) obtaining sufficient training to achieve mastery in use, and 3) proper actual use of any and all equipment employed for the preservation of your eyesight.

The ONLY safe time to look at an eclipse with the naked eye is during the TOTAL phase of a TOTAL eclipse. It is NEVER safe to look at the partial phases of an eclipse without proper protection. If you never look at the sun, you will not be blinded by it. But then, you would have deprived yourself of the opportunity of seeing a total eclipse, which can in fact be done quite safely with proper eye protection. If you choose to stare at the sun, outside of the window of time that it is being covered completely by the moon, and/or without proper equipment and techniques to ensure your safety, then you will likely do damage to your eyes.  So don't do that.

The only way to safely look at the sun when it is not in total eclipse is through approved filter material designed and marketed expressly for direct solar viewing.  If you do not have such material (which is inexpensive and readily available, through astronomical supply houses and [very soon] right here at eclipse2017.org), then the only safe way for you to observe the partial phases of the eclipse is by using indirect methods such as projection.

The content of this site is informational in nature, has been tested and found to be accurate in actual use on numerous occasions, and is sufficient to ensure complete safety when suggested practices are strictly followed. However, no one can or should take responsibility for your actions, or your safety, except you.

You must agree with the above statements in their entirety, and you must agree to hold harmless Eclipse2017.org, inc., the authors of this site, and of all sites linked to by it, for any and all damage caused by your actions or inactions, to your person or the person of those under your guardianship, in order to use the information contained on said sites for any purpose.