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Lv 5

Anything I need to know about ordering Solar Eclipse Glasses?

I'm looking at ordering Solar Eclipse Glasses online. Is there anything I need to look out for? Or any recommendations. I want something that actually works, not some super cheap ripoff that will make me go blind.

4 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    5 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Make certain they are Mylar. It is "freak-out" time to think that something so cheap will protect your eyes, but Mylar does:

    http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html

    Thousand Oaks Optical is the largest supplier of Mylar glasses and you can buy them through Amazon or directly from the website:

    http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/ecplise.html

    Sky & Telescope has a detailed article (and a goofy picture) of all the different ways to observe the Sun:

    http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/celestial...

    And a more recent one here:

    http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/obse...

    Sky & Telescope recommends the Rainbow Symphony company for solar filter eyeglasses:

    http://www.rainbowsymphony.com/eclipse-glasses

    They are almost always sold in quantity, but Rainbow Symphony does have an individual pair for $20, only worth it if you want to look at Sunspots from time to time- which Mylar is good for too.

    PS: I knew the man who invented Mylar solar glasses- you see his ads in old Sky & Telescope magazines- "your astronomical friend" Roger Tuthill

    He was in Mauretania for a total eclipse and wanted something lightweight for a tent, so he bought government surplus Mylar. While trying it, he realized you could see the Sun's disk through the Mylar. It was tested for safety and was fine, so he made zillions of little eclipse glasses for the Mauretanians and was awarded the Legion d'honneur for doing so. Mylar is still the preferred filter for viewing eclipses and sunspots. It is also used for telescopes.

    True story!

  • ?
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Yes. DON"T. Waste of Money.

    Use a PIN HOLE instead. Two sheets of Cardboard. Small hole in one. Pair of Binoclars over the hole focsiing the sun onto the other piece.

  • 5 years ago

    why not make a pinhole camera instead?

  • ?
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Not worth the risk in any form. Do not try this.

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