Choose a solar viewing method, check viewers and instrument filters, brief your group, and save a source-backed observation checklist.
Choose indirect pinhole projection, a verified handheld solar viewer, or an expert-supervised filtered instrument. This checklist covers protected viewing of the ordinary Sun and partial or annular eclipses. It does not instruct you to remove filters during totality.
For direct viewing without magnification, use solar viewers that comply with ISO 12312-2 and come from a traceable reputable supplier. A printed ISO claim alone is not proof. Reject scratched, torn or otherwise damaged viewers. If uncertain, choose projection.
For pinhole projection, stand with the Sun behind you and direct the image onto a separate surface; watch that image, never peer through the hole. For telescopes, binoculars or cameras, obtain expert advice and follow the equipment-specific solar-filter instructions before aiming.
Explain which viewing station each person will use. Demonstrate where the projected image appears or how the handheld viewer covers the eyes. Assign an adult to supervise children and keep unprepared optical equipment out of use.
Put the solar viewer over your eyes before turning toward the Sun; turn away before removing it. Never use eclipse glasses while looking through binoculars, a telescope or a camera lens. Keep everyone using the chosen method and stop if equipment shifts or is damaged.
Turn instruments away from the Sun before dismantling the setup. Store viewers according to their instructions and set damaged items aside so they cannot be reused. Save the method, equipment identification and any unresolved checks for the next session.
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Use this table to decide what preparation is required. No calculator can approve a viewer or optical assembly.
| Route | Required preparation | Do not substitute |
|---|---|---|
| Pinhole projection | Sun behind you; image on a separate surface | Looking through the opening |
| Unaided direct viewing | Verified solar viewer; inspect before use | Ordinary sunglasses |
| Telescope, binoculars or camera | Expert guidance; proper front-mounted solar filter | Eclipse glasses behind magnifying optics |
A proper front filter blocks energy before it enters the optics. Check secure attachment and the finder. Rear eyepiece solar filters can fail under concentrated sunlight. Follow the manufacturer for your exact instrument; do not treat a generic photographic filter as approval for eye viewing.
Check the supplier against current AAS guidance, rather than trusting a logo or an ISO label alone. Keep purchase details and instructions. Appearance or a comfortable image cannot prove that a viewer blocks harmful invisible radiation.
Keep a short record for the next organizer. Blank or uncertain checks mean the setup still needs review.
| Record | What to write |
|---|---|
| Method | Projection, handheld viewer or supervised instrument |
| Equipment | Viewer supplier or instrument/filter identifiers |
| Supervision | Named adult or experienced operator |
| Open issues | Damage, loose fittings or unanswered instructions |
Totality is a distinct, brief phase inside the path of a total eclipse. Partial and annular phases still require protection. Use NASA’s complete guidance for that situation; this general checklist is not a local eclipse timetable or a filter-removal procedure.
Pinhole projection needs no magnifying optics. Observe the image on the surface while keeping your back to the Sun.
Keep the plan and source instructions available offline. Identify a replacement activity if equipment checks cannot be completed.