Everyone knows that you are not supposed to look directly at the sun. Parents warn their children of the damage looking at the sun can cause.
However, if you want to look at the sun or view a solar eclipse, you will need a special pair of glasses for solar eclipse viewing.
Luckily there are many reputable places where you can buy glasses for solar eclipse events. So, how do you find them?
Due to the influx of counterfeit solar glass, the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force created a list of approved vendors whose glasses for solar eclipse viewing meet the minimum standard for ISO certification. These glasses are designed to protect the view eyes from the influx of ultraviolet light from the sun. A list of those vendors can be found here: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.
Before wearing your purchased glasses for solar eclipse viewing, check to make sure the glasses have not been scratched, bent, or torn in any way. When wearing the glasses, viewers should not be able to see anything except the sun. When you put on the glasses, if you can see household items or the trees outside, then the glasses are not safe to wear for solar viewing. Any alterations to the glasses can cause harmful UV rays to enter the retina and cause eye damage. Sun damage to the eyes can occur within two minutes of looking at the sun without the person’s knowledge.
Wearing certified eye protection is the only way to safely protect your eyes from sun damage while viewing a solar eclipse.
As it gets closer to a total solar eclipse, it will be more difficult to locate glasses for solar eclipse viewing. So, plan ahead, do your research, and enjoy the wonder of this celestial phenomenon.
