While welding goggles are designed to protect eyes from intense light, they do not offer sufficient protection from the harmful radiation emitted by the sun during an eclipse.

Here's why:

* Welding goggles do not filter out all harmful radiation: They primarily block visible light and infrared radiation, but not the ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause severe eye damage during a solar eclipse.

* The shade number is not a reliable indicator of safety: Welding goggles are rated by their shade number, which indicates the level of visible light they block. However, this does not guarantee adequate protection from UV radiation.

Safe ways to view a solar eclipse:

* Use certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers: These glasses have special filters that block 99.999% of the sun's harmful radiation.

* Project the sun's image: You can create a pinhole projector by poking a small hole in a piece of cardboard and projecting the image of the sun onto a white surface.

* Watch a live stream: Many organizations broadcast live streams of solar eclipses, allowing you to safely enjoy the event.

Never look directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, without proper eye protection. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage, including blindness.