Yes you can! But there are some things your should know first to make sure that you won’t go blind! 

According to NASA, the only welder helmets that are safe for direct viewing of the Solar Eclipse with your eyes are helmets that have a Shade 12 or higher. These are much darker than the filters used during most types of welding. So if you have an old welder’s helmet and you have NO idea what the shade on it is, probably don’t use it to look directly at the sun! Additionally, many people find the Sun too bright even in a Shade 12 filter, and some find the Sun too dim in a Shade 14 filter — but Shade 13 filters are not easy and to find. 

Who wants to wear a welder’s helmet anyway? it’s big, bulky and you will be the only one that the eclipse picnic that showed up ready to build a ship instead of watch the Eclipse. Check out our events page for locations that we will be giving away our free Eclipse viewers so you don’t look out of place.

More from Clarksville now and NASA:

NASA has issued a safety alert about “unsafe eclipse glasses being distributed by unscrupulous companies.” The agency is recommending consumers only use eclipse glasses with ISO 12312-2 printed on them that have been printed by the four following companies: American Paper Optics, Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17. NASA says buying your eclipse glasses on Amazon does not ensure their safety. Make sure to check your eclipse glasses and viewers to verify that they have the correct ISO designation and were manufactured by one of the four companies recognized by NASA as legitimate. See NASA flyer regarding approved eclipse glasses Viewing the eclipse without approved eye protection can lead to permanent damage. The total solar eclipse is Aug. 21.

 

Find out more on the Clarksvillenow.com Eclipse Page. Here’s what NASA Says about the specific alternatives for viewing protection on their website, Go to the Section Marked “Viewing with Protection”