NASA issues safety warning as demand for solar eclipse glasses spikes

As the total solar eclipse approaches, demand for safe viewing glasses has spiked and experts are warning the public to be wary of dangerous knockoffs.

Glasses that are safe for directly viewing the sun must meet the International Organization for Standardization’s standard, and will indicate they are ISO 12312-2 compliant. But recently the American Astronomical Society issued a warning indicating such a label is no longer adequate to verify glasses’ safety, citing “alarming reports of potentially unsafe eclipse viewers flooding the market.”

“It now appears that some companies are printing the ISO logo and certification label on fake eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers made with materials that do not block enough of the sun’s ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation to make them truly safe,” the organization warned. “Some sellers are even displaying fake test results on their websites to support their bogus claim of compliance with the ISO safety standard.”

On Amazon.com, for instance, the run on eclipse glasses has left many models out of stock directly from the online retailer, but they continue to be available through third-party sellers. While the astronomical society says Amazon seems to be making a “good-faith effort” to remove questionable vendors, customer reviews continue to indicate some buyers are getting what appear to be imitation glasses.

Experts warn that looking at the sun without protection — or inadequate protection, such as using regular sunglasses — can cause lasting vision problems.

“Even at maximum eclipse it is not safe to look directly at the sun,” Violet Mager, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, said in a statement. “Doing so could potentially cause permanent damage to your eyes.”

The eclipse, which is the first total eclipse in the Lower 48 since 1979, will take place starting at 1:19 p.m. Aug. 21 and will last two hours and 38 minutes. While the eclipse will be total farther south, residents in the Wilkes-Barre area can expect to see the moon block 77 percent of the sun, according to Penn State Wilkes-Barre, which is hosting a free eclipse viewing event in the Nesbitt Academic Commons on the Lehman campus starting at 1 p.m.

The university will provide free glasses to view the eclipse, and will also open its solar telescope for observation.

Eye Care Specialists, which has locations across Luzerne County, also pledged to give out free eclipse glasses to anyone who stops by — while supplies last. On Monday, the business reported it was mostly out of glasses, but had just ordered more to distribute to all its offices.

For those who want to purchase their own glasses, the astronomical society recommends using 12 manufacturers whose products have been checked by an accredited laboratory. The glasses should not allow anything through except light from the sun or something similarly bright, such as a bright halogen light bulb, according to the society.

The group has a list of vendors who are selling approved glasses at http://ift.tt/2rdDav2.

Locally, approved glasses were in stock Monday at the Lowe’s Home Improvement locations in Wilkes-Barre Twp., Edwardsville and West Hazleton. All three had American Paper Optics brand cardboard-style glasses for $1.98 per pair. The Wilkes-Barre Twp. location also had a few plastic versions of the approved glasses for $14.98 per pair.

Wal-Mart was also selling approved American Paper Optics glasses for $1 per pair. Its locations in Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Hazle Twp. had them in stock as of Monday afternoon; however the Pittston Twp. location did not.

Contact the writer: 570-821-2058, @cvjimhalpin

These solar filter brands have been verified to meet the safety standards for directly viewing the sun:

• American Paper Optics (Eclipser)

• APM Telescopes (Sunfilter Glasses)

• Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold Film)

• Celestron (EclipSmart Glasses & Viewers)

• DayStar (Solar Glasses)

• Explore Scientific (Solar Eclipse Sun Catcher Glasses)

• Lunt Solar Systems (SUNsafe SUNglasses)

• Meade Instruments (EclipseView Glasses & Viewers)

• Rainbow Symphony (Eclipse Shades)

• Seymour Solar (Helios Glasses)

• Thousand Oaks Optical (Silver-Black Polymer & SolarLite)

• TSE 17 (Solar Filter Foil)

Can’t find any approved viewing glasses?

Make a pinhole camera with a few common items. NASA recommends cutting a square hole in the middle of a piece of white card stock, then taping a piece of aluminum foil over the hole. Poke a small hole in the foil with a pin or paperclip. Put a second piece of white card stock on the ground and hold the piece with the foil above it, allowing the sun to project through the hole onto the card on the ground. The farther away you hold the “camera,” the larger the image will be.

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