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Rossen Reports: Watch out for these fake 'solar eclipse' glasses

Rossen Reports: Watch out for these fake 'solar eclipse' glasses
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Updated: 2:47 PM CST Feb 20, 2024
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Rossen Reports: Watch out for these fake 'solar eclipse' glasses
vlog logo
Updated: 2:47 PM CST Feb 20, 2024
Editorial Standards
A total solar eclipse is heading our way on April 8. Its path will stretch from Texas to Maine. According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in 2017. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality. And we’re not even counting the amount of people who travel to it as well! As we get closer to the date, we all get desperate trying to find solar eclipse glasses. Here’s a guide as to how to make sure you’re buying legitimate solar eclipse glasses.Who will need solar eclipse glasses?Everyone! Staring up at an eclipse without them can cause damage to your eyes and can be extremely painful. If you’re in the path of totality, you will need them as the moon moves between the Earth and the sun. Then, when the moon is completely in the middle and it’s dark, you can take them off. Then as the moon moves out and it gets bright again, put the glasses back on. If you’re not in the path of totality, you need solar eclipse glasses the entire time. Are there counterfeit solar eclipse glasses out there? Here’s an important thing to remember; manufacturers all over the world are making solar eclipse glasses and a lot goes into making them. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the organization that looks at manufacturers and scrutinizes their lab results to make sure their glasses are safe and block out the right amount of sunlight. The ISO gives the stamp of approval! Rick Fienberg with the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force is part of the team that does the work. He says, that just because there are glasses out there that don’t have the ISO stamp of approval, doesn’t mean they’re unsafe…it just means, the ISO hasn’t seen the lab results or given their approval that their glasses are legitimate. And with so many people out there trying to make a quick buck, this does open the door for scammers who could be making unsafe glasses. (By the way, Fienberg has seen 15 solar eclipses…how cool is that?) Video below: How did the ISO get here today?What should I look for to make sure my solar eclipse glasses are legitimate? There are a few things you can look for that will give you peace of mind. Check to make sure "ISO 12312-2" is on the glasses and/or the packaging. Other good things to look for are the manufacturer’s name and address, warnings, and instructions on the glasses and/or the packaging.Something to note: NASA does not approve or certify solar eclipse glasses. So if you see that statement on the glasses, packaging, and/or the online post; be weary. You might see the NASA logo on some solar glasses – and that can be OK! NASA says there are a few different designs that it has distributed for free at events and shared with partners like museums and science centers as well.At the end of the day, anyone can stamp the ISO logo on their product. That's why it's important to buy your glasses from a trusted source. Click here to view the ISO's verified suppliers list.Video below: Should I get a solar eclipse filter for my camera or binoculars?Wait… do the glasses I bought in 2017 work?That depends! What do they look like? If your solar eclipse glasses are bent, torn, ripped, or scratched, throw them out! You don't want any risk of sunlight getting through. If they’ve been stored properly and still look like new, you're good to wear them.How can I test my solar eclipse glasses? First, check them inside by looking at a really bright light. If nothing comes through, or it’s VERY dim, go outside. Take a quick glance at the sun with the glasses. If the Sun looks comfortably bright, you're okay. It should look like a perfect circle in the sky. Video below: What’s so amazing about a total solar eclipse?Want to know more about the solar eclipse? Here’s more information from NASA about it and this is how it differs from the solar eclipse in 2017.

A total solar eclipse is heading our way on April 8. Its path will stretch from Texas to Maine. According to NASA, an estimated 31.6 million people live in the path of totality this year, compared to 12 million in 2017. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality. And we’re not even counting the amount of people who travel to it as well!

As we get closer to the date, we all get desperate trying to find solar eclipse glasses. Here’s a guide as to how to make sure you’re buying legitimate solar eclipse glasses.

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Who will need solar eclipse glasses?

Everyone! Staring up at an eclipse without them can cause damage to your eyes and can be extremely painful. If you’re in the path of totality, you will need them as the moon moves between the Earth and the sun. Then, when the moon is completely in the middle and it’s dark, you can take them off. Then as the moon moves out and it gets bright again, put the glasses back on. If you’re not in the path of totality, you need solar eclipse glasses the entire time.

Are there counterfeit solar eclipse glasses out there?

Here’s an important thing to remember; manufacturers all over the world are making solar eclipse glasses and a lot goes into making them. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the organization that looks at manufacturers and scrutinizes their lab results to make sure their glasses are safe and block out the right amount of sunlight. The ISO gives the stamp of approval! Rick Fienberg with the American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force is part of the team that does the work. He says, that just because there are glasses out there that don’t have the ISO stamp of approval, doesn’t mean they’re unsafe…it just means, the ISO hasn’t seen the lab results or given their approval that their glasses are legitimate. And with so many people out there trying to make a quick buck, this does open the door for scammers who could be making unsafe glasses. (By the way, Fienberg has seen 15 solar eclipses…how cool is that?)

Video below: How did the ISO get here today?

What should I look for to make sure my solar eclipse glasses are legitimate?

There are a few things you can look for that will give you peace of mind. Check to make sure "ISO 12312-2" is on the glasses and/or the packaging. to look for are the manufacturer’s name and address, warnings, and instructions on the glasses and/or the packaging.

Something to note: NASA does not approve or certify solar eclipse glasses. So if you see that statement on the glasses, packaging, and/or the online post; be weary. You might see the NASA logo on some solar glasses – and that can be OK! NASA says there are a few different designs that it has distributed for free at events and shared with partners like museums and science centers as well.

At the end of the day, anyone can stamp the ISO logo on their product. That's why it's important to buy your glasses from a trusted source.

Video below: Should I get a solar eclipse filter for my camera or binoculars?


Wait… do the glasses I bought in 2017 work?

That depends! What do they look like? If your solar eclipse glasses are bent, torn, ripped, or scratched, throw them out! You don't want any risk of sunlight getting through. If they’ve been stored properly and still look like new, you're good to wear them.

How can I test my solar eclipse glasses?

First, check them inside by looking at a really bright light. If nothing comes through, or it’s VERY dim, go outside. Take a quick glance at the sun with the glasses. If the Sun looks comfortably bright, you're okay. It should look like a perfect circle in the sky.

Video below: What’s so amazing about a total solar eclipse?


Want to know more about the solar eclipse?

from NASA about it and from the solar eclipse in 2017.