How to safely watch the Great American Eclipse

'MURICA — NASA has issued a set of safety guidelines ahead of a solar eclipse that will be visible to more than 300 million people in the United States next month.

The Great American Eclipse 2017 can be viewed directly through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, according to the NASA website.

These filters should meet ISO safety standards and the manufacturer's name and address should printed on the product.

Do not use filters that are more than three years old, or that have scratched or wrinkled lenses. Do not use regular sunglasses or homemade filters.

An alternative method is to use a pinhole projector. Simply cut a pencil-sized hole in a piece of paper or cardboard then stream the sunlight through the hole onto a makeshift screen, such as a piece of paper.

The eclipse will start in Oregon on August 21 and pass over 12 states before exiting in South Carolina. Its path will be 67 miles wide.