I have photographed several eclipses over the past decades. A Total Solar eclipse is one of the most beautiful events in nature... however proper caution must be used. Mudguard is correct about the smoked glass being dangerous. Welders goggles may be used IF IF IF the glass has a neutral density of at least 4.6 and is a UV and IR filter... if you don't know what that means , don't use them. There is nothing dangerous about using professionally made Mylar viewing filters according to directions. Don't make your own out of potato chip bags. You won't know anything about the safety of that particular plastic. Pinhole projectors may be very easily constructed from cardboard mailing tubes. Punch a small (2mm ish/ 1/10th inch ish) hole in the top end cap. Cut a viewing port at the bottom end large enough to see the inside of the bottom end cap. this should be right at the bottom end. I usually cut a sort of cathedral arch that opens along the side of the tube. Tape some white paper on the inside of the end cap to give you a brighter image of the partial phases. snap the end back in and there's your safe viewer. Don't look through the pinhole at the sun. view the projected image of the sun on the endcap inside the tube. There is no danger in directly viewing the Total phase of the eclipse, as the danger comes from the Infra-red and Ultraviolet light given off from the solar disc (which is now blocked by the moon. As Soon as you see the flash of light from the re-emergance of the solar disc, it's time to stop looking...NOW! Keep staring and you Will be in trouble, but a second's reaction to look away won't expose you to danger. The thing to keep in mind here, is the use of REASONABLE CAUTION. Aware adults can view the eclipse safely and allow themselves to see one of the most beautiful sights in nature. Just be prudent. I've tried to keep this short... no luck Anyone who would like to contact me about this subject can EM me directly at: Skivee@pyrates.com