Thread: How dangerous is it to look at the solar eclipse tonight if i just wear sunglasses?

Every where is sold out of the glasses in my town so any suggestions or ideas to look at the solar eclipse tonight.

Staring at the sun in general is a bad idea, regardless of where the moon happens to be at the time. If you can find something like a welder's mask that might work. There are also instructions available online for constructing an eclipse viewing apparatus.

Approximately as dangerous as if you weren't wearing sunglasses.

it's only safe at totality. Don't do it.

It's dangerous with just sunglasses. If the clouds clear up where I'm at, we plan on quick glimpses & taking pictures with the digital camera.

No way, even dark welding glasses can't protect you. It's most dangerous when just the corona is visible in the middle of the eclipse.
Make a reflector box. Tape a piece of white copy paper to the inside of a cardboard box. In the other end , make a pinhole in the center of the side opposite the paper. Off at the corner make a hole you can peep through. Stand with your back to the sun and move the box around till the sun appears on the paper.

No, you should not use sunglasses. Ordinary sunglasses will offer little or no protection from the sun. They are not designed for direct solar viewing. Shade #14 welding glass will do the trick, but it is very dark glass that is not commonly used so you likely don't have it lying around in a toolbox. You would need to purchase it at a welding supply store. It is unlikely you will find one that is open on Sunday afternoon. Regular hardware stores likely will carry glass only up to shade #10 or #12 which is not enough protection for viewing the sun.

It's dangerous do not do it,try and check online for what is suitable for looking at the solar eclipse

I used 2 pairs of regular sunglasses on top of each other and I took peeks and glances. So did you see it? or were you in EST?