Fake Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding the Market: How to Stay Safe

Space.com ^ | 7/31/17 | Mike Wall

[LibWhacker]

Fake Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding the Market: How to Stay Safe

By Mike Wall, Space.com Senior Writer |

If you're planning to view the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, make sure you've got the right safety gear.

Phony eclipse glasses are currently flooding the marketplace, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). This counterfeit equipment falsely claims to meet the international standard for safe solar viewing, which is known as ISO 12312-2 (also written as ISO 12312-2:2015).

So how do you know that your eclipse glasses or handheld viewers are safe? The AAS has done some legwork and identified a number of reputable vendors, including (but not limited to) American Paper Optics, Rainbow Symphony, Celestron and Daystar. You can also trust the businesses and other organizations that sell gear made by these companies, AAS representatives said. (There are many such retailers, including Wal-Mart, Lowes and Toys R Us.) [The Best ISO-Certified Gear to See the 2017 Solar Eclipse]

Buy Eclipse Glasses by American Paper Optics on Amazon.com

You can check out the AAS' full list of trustworthy suppliers and vendors here. NASA also has information about eclipse glasses and safe solar viewing; find it here.

If you haven't already gotten your viewing gear, you probably want to do so. It's late enough in the game that some online stores can't guarantee delivery until after Aug. 21. (But you can buy glasses or viewers in person, at one of the approved retailers listed by the AAS.)

Reminder: You need such specialized gear to view the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun; run-of-the-mill sunglasses, even extra-dark ones, won't cut it. If you look at the sun without certified safety equipment, serious and permanent eye damage can result. (It is safe to look at the totally eclipsed sun with the naked eye. But you still need to exercise care; totality lasts just a few minutes, so make sure you get the timing right.)

Even if your eclipse glasses are certified, you shouldn't use them if their lenses are damaged or not securely fastened to their frames, AAS representatives stressed. (Also, never use glasses or handheld viewers with binoculars or telescopes; such instruments require special filters for safe solar observing.)

It's not a big surprise that counterfeit equipment has come on the scene, considering the buzz surrounding the Aug. 21 event — it's the first total solar eclipse visible from the United States mainland since 1979.

On Aug. 21, the moon will completely blot out the solar disk in 14 states, from Oregon to South Carolina. The "path of totality" will be just 70 miles wide (113 kilometers) or so; the rest of North America will be treated to a partial eclipse, as will parts of South America, Europe and Africa.

The total solar eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017, will cross the contiguous United States. Totality will be visible only for observers within the 70-mile-wide (113 kilometers) path shown, peaking at 2 minutes and 42 seconds near Carbondale, Illinois.

Credit: Great American Eclipse

About 200 million people live within a day's drive of the path of totality, according to Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao. But even people who don't make the trip will still be able to witness the event online, thanks to webcasts planned by a variety of organizations. And if the Aug. 21 event somehow passes you by, don’t fret: Another total solar eclipse is coming to the U.S. mainland on April 8, 2024.

[LibWhacker]

I would add: do not use anyone else's "eclipse glasses" because you don't know where they got them. Buy your own. They're not expensive ($2 each at Amazon). In fact, I wouldn't use any of these glasses to stare at the eclipse or at the sun for minutes at a time because how do you know there isn't a defect in the lens? Protect your eyesight!

[ClearCase_guy]

Well ... we’re all gonna die.

[Redcitizen]

How about welding lenses? Will those work?

[stars & stripes forever]

I’m going for the replay on YouTube myself.

[Gay State Conservative]

Put your camera on a tripod,point it at the sun and hit record.If you want to you can get another camera,another tripod and snap stills.

[dragnet2]

6"x6" Solar Filter Sheet for Telescopes, Binoculars and Cameras by Thousand Oaks Optical $ 16 99

Or

5 Pack: Baader Planetarium Solar Viewer AstroSolar Silver/Gold Eclipse Glasses / Shades for Solar Eclipse # 2459294 by Baader Planetarium. $ 19 99

I use Baader in my optical observatory...Great stuff which I trust.

Get them on Amazon etc...

[Ciaphas Cain]

Welding helmet works magnificently. With welding glass of course :-)

I've used it before. Probably the best way to look at an eclipse with your own eyes.

[dragnet2]

Viewing with Protection — Experts suggests that one widely available filter for safe solar viewing is number 14 welder’s glass. It is imperative that the welding hood houses a #14 or darker filter. Do not view through any welding glass if you do not know or cannot discern its shade number.

[dragnet2]

See #8 before ya do that.

[Openurmind]

That’s what I use... :)

[LibWhacker]

Yes, number 14 welder's glass.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Not all glasses at Amazon are NASA approved or safe. Do your research.

[VanShuyten]

I got a 25-pack from Rainbow Symphony for less than $25, including shipping. They were running low at the end of June, but I got mine in a couple of weeks.

From MrEclipse.com
http://mreclipse.com/Totality2/TotalityCh11.html#Welder

Welders’ Goggles

Welders’ goggles or the filters for welder’s goggles with a rating of 14 or higher are safe to use for looking directly at the Sun. They are also relatively inexpensive.

Warning! Do not attempt to use these filters behind a pair of binoculars or telescope (that is, between your eyes and the binoculars or telescope). The magnifying optics of these devices will focus the full power of the Sun onto the welder’s filter which could crack and shatter from the intense heat after only a few minutes. If you wish to observe the eclipse with binoculars or a telescope, you must use a specially designed solar filter on the front end (or Sun-side) of the instrument. These filters are discussed in the next section. (2002/09/03)

That warning is for eclipse glasses, too!

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I use a welding hood with the darkest glass, or two dark glass pieces, I can get. Worked fine last time we had a partial in this area.

NOT WELDING GLASSES for gas welding.

[Redcitizen]

Oh C'mon. Stand outside and live a little.

[Redcitizen]

Thanks to all for the good info. Will be getting myself #14 welding lenses.

[Cold Heart]

Plath marine sextant, 6x with ground glass solar shading

[dragnet2]

Do your research

I've been using solar filters with the unaided eye and when obtaining photographic images using astronomical optical telescopes of all types.☺

I shot this solar image of the Planet Venus transit in June of 2012 as Venus pass near maximum transit across the Sun's surface from Earth's vantage point.

The last transit of Venus occurred June 5-6, 2012. The next pair of Sun-Venus-Earth transits will be December 2117 and 2125.

Doing these things has given me great respect for the sun, especially when magnified many times. A failure would not only destroy expensive equipment in a second, but burn a hole through your brain, out back of your skull and out the observatory dome...☺☺

[Openurmind]

They don’t have to be real dark, But they do have to be for Arc Welding and not gas welding or cutting. Even the lightest shade of “Ark” welding lens would probably be fine. I have used an old hood with a light lens over the years. I’m going to try my Auto-hood this time around and see if it stays dark or not.

[dragnet2]

No problem...When it comes to eyes, we all know ya have to be really careful. I never gamble as the damage can happen before one even realizes it. The companies Baader and Thousand Oaks optical are very good and have been in business many years. There are others too that are very reputable.