On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will transform the daytime sky into something eerie and magical across large swaths of the US, Canada and Mexico. The moon will pass directly between the sun and Earth, briefly blocking out the sun’s rays and darkening the sky in the middle of the day.
NASA reports that some of the best places to see the solar eclipse stateside include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Texas. Not surprisingly, the timing of the momentous event will vary widely based on where you are located.
For example, people in Evansville, Indiana, will experience the eclipse from 12:45 p.m. CDT to 3:20 p.m. CDT with maximum darkness at 2:04 p.m. CDT. Meanwhile, viewers in Burlington, Vermont, can see the eclipse from 2:14 p.m. EDT to 4:37 p.m. EDT with maximum darkness at 3:27 p.m. EDT. You can see viewing times for select US cities on NASA’s website.
The best eclipse glasses for the 2024 total solar eclipse
But regardless of where you view the eclipse, protecting your eyes is key to doing it safely.
According to NASA, you should wear a set of eclipse glasses that complies with the ISO 12312-2 international standard when viewing any solar eclipse. This is thousands of times darker than standard sunglasses.
Further, the agency notes that “viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the best and most protective solar eclipse viewing glasses you can order now and receive before the big event happens in April. These vendors have been approved by the American Astronomical Society.
Medical King's CE- and ISO-approved glasses makes watching the eclipse a breeze. You can snag these shades in packs of 5, 25 or even 55 if you're hosting a solar eclipse viewing party.
Another simple set of ISO-approved solar eclipse glasses, this set comes with 5 pairs so you can have a few extras handy for anyone who came unprepared.
If you already wear glasses and want to view the solar eclipse without giving up the benefits of your prescription, consider this pair that's designed to fit over your existing glasses. Plus, these also meet ISO international standards for safety.
This simple pack of five cardboard glasses is ISO certified and has enough pairs to let your entire family enjoy the phenomenon safely. Amazon reviews note that the glasses worked well for the last eclipse, and the specs show they meet ISO requirements.
This pack of solar eclipse glasses has 10 pairs, which means you'll have enough for your entire family and then some. They're ISO-approved and the pack even includes a filter to put over your smartphone camera so you can take photos of the eclipse without damaging the lens.
