How to safely watch the solar eclipse: You'll want eclipse glasses or a viewer Saturday

The world's rare 'ring of fire' eclipse will be visible for people across parts of the United States this weekend.

The annular solar eclipse is set to take place Saturday, Oct, 14, according to NASA.

All lower 48 states will be able to view part of the eclipse which, according to the space agency, takes place when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, but the moon is at the furthest point away from Earth in its orbit. When it's further away, the moon isn't able to completely cover the sun, creating the 'ring of fire'.

The full annular solar eclipse officially starts in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT and ends in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT.

Here's what how to safely watch it without damaging your eyes or potentially blinding yourself.

Can I look directly at the eclipse?

No.

According to NASA, it is never safe to look directly at the sun during an annular eclipse without specialized eye protection as you could permanently damage your eyes.

When watching an annular (or even partial) solar eclipse people should always look at it using approved solar viewing glasses (AKA eclipse glasses) or a handheld solar viewer.

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Can I use regular sunglasses to watch the eclipse?

No.

Regular sunglasses do not count as eclipse glasses, NASA experts say. No matter how dark, regular sunglasses are not safe for looking directly at the sun. 

"Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard," according to the space agency.

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Where to buy eclipse glasses and how to know if they are safe:

The American Astronomical Society has a list of approved solar-eclipse glasses suppliers here.

According to space.com, ISO-approved glasses must meet the following requirements:

• No more than 0.00032% of sunlight may be transmitted through the filters.
• Filters must be free of defects including scratches, bubbles, and dents.
• Handheld viewers must cover both the right and left eye.
• Product labels must include the manufacturer name, instructions for safe use and warnings of any dangers of improper use.

Can I look at an eclipse using a camera, binoculars or telescope?

No.

Do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer

"The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury," according to NASA.

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Can I use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with a camera, binoculars or telescope?

No.

Do not use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes to look at the sun.

However, your can use a special solar protector on the front of those objects. But NASA recommends seeking advice from experts including astronomers before using one.

What if I don't have access to eclipse glasses or a solar viewer?

If you do not have access to eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can make one using an indirect viewing method which does not involve looking directly at the sun.

NASA recommends creating a pinhole eclipse projector, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) which safely projects an image of the sun onto a surface nearby.

How to make a do-it-yourself eclipse viewing projector

Here's how to safely make an eclipse viewer and how to use it:

• Get cardboard box, a white sheet of paper, tape, scissors, and piece of aluminum foil.
• Punch a pinhole into the aluminium foil.
• Tape it over one side of the box.
• Tape the white sheet of paper to the inside of the other side of the box.
• Stand with the sun behind you.
• Light will stream through the pinhole and project a crescent sun onto the white sheet of paper in the box.
• Look into the box through another hole you cut into the box to see the projected image.
• Do not look at the sun through the pinhole.

How long can you look at the eclipse without glasses?

You can view the eclipse for a short period of time without glasses.

But only during the period known as totality − when the sun is completely covered by the moon.

Depending on where you are, the totality could last about four minutes, according to NASA

As soon as even a tiny slice of the sun reappears after totality, NASA says, put your eclipse glasses back on or use your handheld solar viewer to relook at it.

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Additional tips for viewing an eclipse:

Additional tips for safely viewing an annular eclipse include:

• Inspect eclipse glasses or handheld viewers before using them. Throw them away if they are torn, scratched, or damaged.
• Instruct children how to properly watch the eclipse.
• Supervise children using eclipse sunglasses or handheld solar viewers.

The next total solar eclipse, according to NASA, will cross North America on April 8, 2024.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.