The single most important rule: never look directly at the Sun, even when it is almost entirely covered. Certified eclipse glasses that carry the ISO 12312-2 standard are required for the full duration of the event – ordinary sunglasses, however dark, will not protect your eyes and can cause permanent damage. If you cannot get your hands on a pair, a simple pinhole projector made from two sheets of card lets you watch the eclipse’s progress safely on the ground, projecting a tiny crescent Sun onto the surface below. Many observatories and astronomy groups around the country are hosting supervised viewing events with proper equipment, and it is worth checking whether your local club is holding one.