"Welding Helmet vs. Eclipse Glasses: Which Is Safer for Viewing the Solar Eclipse?"

With the total solar eclipse approaching, experts suggest using welding helmets with a shade number of 12 or higher as an alternative to ISO-certified eclipse glasses, with shade 14 being the darkest recommended. However, welding glasses block almost all light except for a small amount of green, unlike eclipse glasses. If welding glasses are unavailable, viewers can make their own glasses from Mylar sheets or create a pinhole projector. Regular sunglasses, camera viewfinders, telescopes, and binoculars are not safe for viewing the eclipse.