Dylanica

It’s never a good idea to stare at the sun. 

(That’s a bad idea 365 days a year.)

However, you will not be in more danger from the sun on Monday. You do not need to stay inside, you do not need to keep your pets inside. The sun will not become more dangerous during the eclipse!

The ONLY reason you might want eclipse glasses or a pinhole camera is if you intend to look at the sun! 

PLEASE don’t stay inside during the eclipse. Go outside! Look at the shifting shadows, feel the change in temperature, see the ambient light dimming around you! It’s going to be an amazing experience so don’t miss it! 

Also, it’s perfectly safe to look at the sun through your phone’s camera or when looking at the digital screen on a digital camera. Those screens cannot output enough light to burn your eyes. I don’t know who started that ridiculous rumor but no. Just no. 

Times you will need solar eclipse lenses: 

Staring directly at the sun with your eyes.

Cases where the solar eclipse filter needs to go on the front of the device:

Looking through a telescope that isn’t connected to a digital screen. 

Looking through the glass lens on your digital camera.

Looking through binoculars.

In other words, if there’s glass involved, put the filter in front of the glass, not behind it. Lenses focus light, and you don’t want focused sunlight on your solar filter. It may melt. 

In summary, if the sun’s image is showing in a digital screen, you are perfectly fine. If you are looking at the sun without a digital screen, wear solar eclipse glasses or make a pinhole camera!

Other tips:

Putting the solar filter in front of your camera’s lens will help you take amazing pictures of the sun that won’t be over exposed!