Beware of Fake Solar Eclipse Glasses
If you’ve somehow managed to avoid the growing hype, the 21st August solar eclipse will pass over the United States. And to protect your eyesight when looking at the sun, you need safety glasses. However, it is natural that there are already unreliable retailers selling fake eclipse gear that may not protect your vision properly. A post from Quartz warns against fake eclipse goggles sold on Amazon by companies that don’t normally make astronomical gear. One vendor, for example, also sold fidget spinners. (Of course we did.)
According to NASA, you should check if your glasses meet these criteria:
- Have information about certification in accordance with the established international standard ISO 12312-2.
- Print the manufacturer’s name and address somewhere on the product.
- Do not use if they are over 3 years old, have scratched or dented lenses.
- Don’t use homemade filters or replace them with regular sunglasses – not even very dark ones – because it’s not safe to look directly into the sun.
The American Astronomical Society has approved these five brands for eclipse glasses: American Paper Optics, Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver / Gold only), Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17. However, many counterfeit companies also use these names. of approved companies on their glasses. NASA and the American Astronomical Society will endorse more brands in an upcoming announcement, and retail stores like Walmart are likely to start selling approved eclipse goggles soon.
Using these fakes is not necessarily dangerous, but there is no guarantee that they will protect your eyes.
Solar Eclipse Fever Means Amazon Market Is Flooded With Fake Glasses | Quartz