Solar Eclipse Glasses: Why Everyone Needs Them and Best Places to Buy Them

As people across the country prepare to watch what is being called “The Great American Solar Eclipse,” experts warn that viewing the phenomenon can be dangerous without the appropriate protection. On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, will be visible in the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. It’s the first total solar eclipse that can be seen coast to coast and only from the continental U.S. since the country’s founding. Experts warn against staring directly at the sun, which can damage the eyes. But eclipse gazers can find ways to protect themselves, using eclipse glasses and filters. Here’s everything you need to know, including where to find eclipse glasses and how to avoid counterfeit ones: What are eclipse glasses? Eclipse glasses often look like old-fashioned 3D glasses made from thick paper, but the lenses are black or may have a silvery coating on the outside and are specially built to block a majority of the sun’s rays. “They’re much darker and much closer to a welder’s mask in blocking light than traditional sunglasses,” said Dr. Russell Van Gelder, a clinical spokesperson and past president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “They block about 99.99% of light rays.” In comparison, ordinary sunglasses only block about 60% of light rays. There are also special filters for telescopes, binoculars and cameras. Anyone who uses these devices without prote...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized eclipse onetime space space 2017 Source Type: news