Can I use sunglasses to watch the eclipse?

No. Even the darkest ones do not protect against infrared and ultraviolet. You need ISO 12312-2 certified glasses or a dedicated solar filter.

How do I know my glasses are certified?

They must be printed with the ISO 12312-2 standard and come from a reputable seller. Through them you should see nothing except the Sun or a very intense light.

Is there any moment I can look without glasses?

Only during totality and only if you are inside the path. As soon as the Sun reappears you must put the glasses back on. During a partial eclipse it is never safe to look without a filter.

Can I use a phone, a camera or binoculars?

Not without a solar filter designed for the lens. They concentrate light, can damage your eyes instantly and ruin the sensor. Eclipse glasses do not protect against optical instruments.

Are glasses from a previous eclipse still good?

Yes, if they meet the ISO 12312-2 standard and the lenses are not scratched, punctured or damaged. When in doubt, replace them.

Eclipse glasses: how to prepare to watch the 2026 eclipse safely

Looking at the Sun without proper protection can cause permanent eye damage, even during a partial eclipse. This guide explains how to gear up safely for the total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026: which glasses work, how to recognise them and what you must never do.

The essentials, first

Never look directly at the Sun without a certified solar filter, not even for a few seconds. Sunlight can burn the retina without any pain, and the damage can be permanent.

Ordinary sunglasses —however dark— do not protect you. Only certified eclipse glasses or a dedicated solar filter make the Sun safe to observe.

How to recognise safe eclipse glasses

Glasses suitable for looking at the Sun must meet these requirements:

They are printed with the ISO 12312-2 standard, the international standard for solar viewers.
They block light completely: apart from the Sun or a very bright filament, you should see nothing through them.
The lenses are not scratched, punctured or peeling: any damage makes them unusable.
They come from a reputable seller. Some counterfeits print the standard without meeting it; buy from recognised manufacturers and distributors.

Why sunglasses don't work

Ordinary sunglasses cut visible light by only a few times, but let through infrared and ultraviolet radiation in amounts that are dangerous for the eye. Certified eclipse glasses dim sunlight roughly 100,000 times and filter out ultraviolet and infrared.

That is why looking at the Sun through sunglasses, smoked glass, X-ray film or homemade filters is dangerous even when the image looks bearable.

Dangerous mistakes to avoid

Do not look at the Sun through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens without a solar filter designed for it: they concentrate light and can blind you instantly, even while wearing eclipse glasses.
Do not use homemade filters: smoked glass, X-ray film, CDs or low-grade welding goggles.
Do not reuse scratched or damaged glasses from previous eclipses.
Do not let children look without supervision.

The only moment without glasses: totality

If you are inside the path of totality, there are a few seconds or minutes when the Moon covers the Sun completely. Only during that totality —and only inside the path— is it safe to look with the naked eye.

The instant the first flash of Sun reappears marks the end of totality: put your glasses back on immediately. Outside the path, the eclipse is always partial and it is never safe to look without a filter. Check whether your location is inside the path, and at what time, before you plan.

How to prepare in advance

Get your glasses early: close to the date they sell out and counterfeits proliferate. Order from a recognised manufacturer or distributor and keep a few spares in case one gets damaged.

If your group only has a few pairs, you can take turns: safe viewing is done in short intervals. And remember that to photograph the Sun you need a solar filter made for the lens, not the glasses.

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Where to stay in Spain

For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use sunglasses to watch the eclipse?: No. Even the darkest ones do not protect against infrared and ultraviolet. You need ISO 12312-2 certified glasses or a dedicated solar filter.
How do I know my glasses are certified?: They must be printed with the ISO 12312-2 standard and come from a reputable seller. Through them you should see nothing except the Sun or a very intense light.
Is there any moment I can look without glasses?: Only during totality and only if you are inside the path. As soon as the Sun reappears you must put the glasses back on. During a partial eclipse it is never safe to look without a filter.
Can I use a phone, a camera or binoculars?: Not without a solar filter designed for the lens. They concentrate light, can damage your eyes instantly and ruin the sensor. Eclipse glasses do not protect against optical instruments.
Are glasses from a previous eclipse still good?: Yes, if they meet the ISO 12312-2 standard and the lenses are not scratched, punctured or damaged. When in doubt, replace them.