(St. Louis) -KTRS
Scam artists are taking advantage of the August 21st phenomenon as demand for protective glasses is peaking.
The American Astronomical Society has updated safety advice in light of what they term– alarming reports” of unsafe “eclipse viewers” popping up online.
The organization advises buyers to be skeptical even if the glasses are stamped with a seal of the International Organization for Standardization–or ISO- stamp.
The astronomical society says- quote- “It now appears that some companies are printing the ISO logo and certification label on fake eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers made with materials that do not block enough [light],”-end quote.
To test your eclipse glasses the AAS says put them on and “you shouldn’t be able to see anything…except the sun itself.”
Not the lights in your house, not headlights on the street. Nothing but the sun.
If you can see anything else through the film, toss the glasses and find a pair that works.
The American Astronomical Society has a list of brands and vendors they trust:
Brands (Products):
American Paper Optics (Eclipser) / EclipseGlasses.com
APM Telescopes (Sunfilter Glasses)
Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold Film)
Celestron (EclipSmart Glasses & Viewers)
DayStar (Solar Glasses)
Explore Scientific (Solar Eclipse Sun Catcher Glasses)
Lunt Solar Systems (SUNsafe SUNglasses)
Meade Instruments (EclipseView Glasses & Viewers)
Rainbow Symphony (Eclipse Shades)
Seymour Solar (Helios Glasses)
Thousand Oaks Optical (Silver-Black Polymer & SolarLite)
TSE 17 (Solar Filter Foil)
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Vendors:
Adorama Camera
Agena AstroProducts
Alpine Astronomical
AmericanEclipseUSA.com
American Science & Surplus
AstroBox/EclipseKit.com
Astronomers Without Borders
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomy Magazine / My Science Shop
B&H Photo Video
Carolina Biological Supply Company
Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
Company Seven
David Chandler Company
Discover Magazine / My Science Shop
EarthSky.org
Eclipse2017.org
EclipseGlasses.co.uk
EclipseStuff.com
Explore One
Flinn Scientific
GreatAmericanEclipse.com
High Point Scientific
Khan Scope Centre
Lire la Nature & Astronomie Plus
MMI Corporation
NationalEclipse.com
Oceanside Photo & Telescope
Online Science Mall
Ontario Telescope & Accessories
Optics Planet
Orange County Telescope
Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
Sky & Telescope Magazine / Shop at Sky
SkyNews Magazine
Space Racers / AugustEclipse.com
Space Update
Starizona
Steve Spangler Science
Woodland Hills Camera & Telescopes
