by Eclipse sunglasses from B&H Photo, GreatAmericanEclipse.com, Spectrum Telescope, and Agena Astro Credit – Illustration by TIME
JMars is so excited about the upcoming solar eclipse that she bought 1,200 pairs of branded eclipse sunglasses for her clients and friends.
“Man, it was definitely one of those things that you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” says the 58-year-old real estate agent based in Collierville, Tenn. the next one [solar eclipse] was on the way home from that one. I saw that [my brother’s ranch] he was going to be in the middle of it all and I called him and said, ‘I hope you’re enjoying the farm, because you had to keep him until then.'”
But it is important that you buy your glasses before the April 8 eclipse. Unsafe eclipse glasses became a significant problem in 2017, prompting online retailers like Amazon to issue refunds and face lawsuits from customers who bought unsafe glasses. (The case was later dismissed in court.)
Here’s everything you need to know about how to buy eclipse sunglasses, get them for free – and avoid fakes.
How to buy safe eclipse sunglasses
Before purchasing eclipse sunglasses or viewers, be sure to check that the items are coming from the American Astronomical Association (AAS) list of trusted vendors. Although the AAS has previously issued a press release stating that most eclipse glasses are safe to use, the group recently discovered a pair of counterfeit glasses that did not meet the ISO 12312-2 standards that determine how much ultraviolet and infrared light is allowed transmitted by the. filters.
“It’s not smart to just go on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or Google and search for eclipse glasses and buy whatever comes up,” says Richard Fienberg, project manager of the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Eclipse Task Force. “Companies selling eclipse glasses are under false pretenses. The two most likely false reasons are that the glasses have not been properly tested and shown to be safe, or that the glasses are made in China but printed with information that says they are made in America.” Where the glasses are manufactured is a concern because special equipment must be tested in an accredited laboratory.
As part of the Solar Eclipse Task Force, Fienberg looks at companies’ test reports, and verifies their distributor, as well as performing a series of other checks, before adding them to the AAS list. (The list is not exhaustive, meaning there may be other sellers that are safe to buy from.)
“If you see a company that claims to be on the AAS list, and then you look at the AAS list and they’re not on it, that should tell you something,” Feinberg says. “They might have been on it in 2017. But we scrapped the list and started from scratch a few years ago.”
Amazon tells TIME that all eclipse sunglasses they sell must be ISO compliant and come from the AAS list. “We continuously monitor our store, and if we find that a product has not been detected by our automated checks, we address the issue immediately and improve our controls. We take action to maintain a safe choice for our customers, including removing non-compliant products, and outreach to sellers, manufacturers and government agencies for additional information, when appropriate,” says an Amazon spokesperson.
How to test for faulty eclipse glasses
Given the unreliable market, Fienberg advises customers to test their eclipse glasses before April 8 to make sure they have a safe pair. To do that, he says you should first wear his eclipse glasses indoors. If you can see the room and the objects around you, it means that your glasses are not dark enough and will not protect you adequately from the sun.
“There are some really bright lights that you could see through—like an old incandescent light bulb, you might see the filament, [or] if you have a halogen bulb,” says Fienberg. “If you look through them and see nothing, you can go out and take a very quick glance at the sun through them and you’ll probably find that the view is fine, it’s sharp, it’s not too bright, isn’t it. too little. Then you should feel nice, confident that they are safe.”
How to get free eclipse glasses
The STAR Library Network is distributing five million eclipse glasses to more than 13,000 US public libraries, according to the AAS. Interested patrons should check with their local library to see if they have received any free pairs, and can check potential locations with this map.
Some ophthalmologist offices, including MyEyeDr., are giving away free eclipse glasses at select locations. Warby Parker will be offering free pairs in all stores starting April 1st.
Gov. announced New York Kathy Hochul said on Tuesday that the state will distribute free limited edition “I love NY” eclipse glasses at 30 locations. You can check distribution centers here. You should also check if your local county or city offers free glasses. Residents of Chautauqua County, New York for example, can get glasses from a number of places.
You might be able to eat some at your local watch party. Republic Square in Austin, Texas is giving away free solar eclipse viewing to the first 200 guests in attendance.
When do you need to use eclipse glasses?
Although you will be able to see the eclipse with your naked eyes once the moon completely covers the sun, or when it reaches totality, you must use eclipse sunglasses or a viewer during the partial phases of the eclipse . That means your eyes need some kind of protection for the hour before the eclipse—and the hour after.
Fienberg says those outside the path of totality — the roughly 115-mile-wide path from which the total solar eclipse will be visible across 14 states — will need to use protection throughout the event.
Fienberg says people can use eclipse sunglasses with their contact lenses or prescription glasses, but they shouldn’t use any other objects to get a closer look at the sun. “Putting on a pair of eclipse sunglasses and then picking up a pair of binoculars and looking through them is dangerous,” he says. “If you do that, the extra light-gathering power from those big front lenses on your binoculars is going to collect so much light that it’s going to burn through the solar filter and through your eye.”
Can you use old eclipse glasses?
If you have eclipse glasses from previous solar eclipses that crossed the US in 2017 and 2023, they will still be safe to use in 2024, Fienberg says.
However, the AAS recommends that people inspect their old lenses for any holes, tears, scratches or other damage. Older eclipse sunglasses can only be used if they are in good condition, the lenses haven’t come loose from the frames, or they don’t show any other problems.
What if you don’t have eclipse sunglasses?
Those without eclipse glasses can still have a fun viewing experience using pinhole projection. Instructions on how to make a pinhole projector can be found here.
Call us at letters@time.com.
