DETROIT – Experts are encouraging customers to not buy eclipse glasses or viewing devices from Amazon, Temu and the like ahead of next week’s solar eclipse.
On Monday, April 8, the moon will completely eclipse the sun in what’s known as a total solar eclipse. Most of Michigan is not within the path of totality -- meaning most will only see a partial eclipse. Still, staring at the sun to watch a solar eclipse can be damaging on the eyes, so it’s important to use eye protection.
---> There is one place in Michigan where you can see the total solar eclipse
The American Astronomical Society says it’s only safe to look directly at the sun during the brief total phase -- aka totality, when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s light. Throughout the eclipse, people are urged to wear glasses or use viewing devices that include “special-purpose solar filters” that meet a certain standard, officials say.
That standard is known as ISO 12312-2 -- a figure that is printed on glasses or viewing objects that meet the safety requirements. Eclipse viewing glasses can be found online and in stores, sometimes for free, but experts warn people not to buy just any glasses for the eclipse.
“We do not recommend searching for eclipse glasses on Amazon, eBay, Temu, or any other online marketplace and buying from whichever vendor offers the lowest price,” the AAS writes on its website. The AAS also warns of fake and counterfeit products sold on these sites that may not offer you any protection from the sun.
Instead, the American Astronomical Society makes a significant effort to find and list all reliable sellers who have products that meet the specific ISO standard. You can find the entire list on their website here.
There are some large chains that are selling safe solar viewers and filters, though not all locations have them. The AAS says people can buy glasses and filters in store at the following businesses:
- Warby Parker (available in stores for free starting April 1 while supplies last; limit two per person)
Shoppers are urged to not buy glasses or viewers on those businesses’ websites, however, since “some chains use different suppliers for their websites than they do for their stores,” the AAS writes.
---> Interactive map shows best time to watch 2024 total solar eclipse
Quick eclipse safety tips
It’s important to note that sunglasses do not offer enough protection for your eyes to use during an eclipse. Sunglasses do not make it safe to stare at the sun, NASA says.
People watching an eclipse should instead use special eclipse glasses or “safe solar viewers,” which are thousands of times darker than sunglasses, according to NASA.
When wearing ISO-compliant solar viewers, it’s important not to look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other device. The concentrated solar rays will burn right through the filter, and can cause serious eye injury.
If you don’t have any glasses to wear during an eclipse, you can make your own viewing device called a pinhole projector. It works by letting the light from the sun shine through the pin hole, projecting an image of the sun inside -- protecting your eyes.
Cameras -- including cellphone cameras -- should also be equipped with a special filter before you take photos or videos of the eclipse. Many companies that sell paper eclipse glasses also sell ISO-compliant filters for cellphone cameras.
Learn more about how to safely use eclipse viewing equipment in the short video below.
Click here to learn more about safe eclipse glasses and filters from the AAS.