To safely view a solar eclipse, it is important to use approved solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses are not safe for looking directly at the sun, even if they are dark. Here are some ways to safely view a solar eclipse:

• Solar Viewing Glasses: These are an easy and affordable way to safely look at a solar eclipse. They are specially designed to filter out harmful rays from the sun and protect your eyes. It is important to make sure that the glasses meet the international standard for filters that allow for direct viewing of the sun.

• Handheld Solar Viewer: This is another option for safely viewing a solar eclipse. It works similarly to solar viewing glasses, but is held up to your eyes like binoculars.

• Pinhole Projection: If you do not have access to solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can make a pinhole projector to indirectly view the eclipse. This involves creating a small hole in a piece of cardboard and projecting the image of the sun onto another surface, like a piece of paper.

It is important to never look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer. Similarly, do not look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewer in front of your eyes.