Viewing Monday's eclipse? Be careful - 'fake' glasses exist!

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Many of us will be viewing Monday's eclipse - especially those who can get into the 100mi band to experience 'totality' (if you can swing the travel, I highly recommend it, although there will be areas with bad traffic backups, for those who drive).

Please note that some unscrupulous people have sold protective glasses that don't comply with the safety standard. Using them (for even a couple of minutes) WILL damage your eyes (perhaps permanently, or for several years). Worse, many of these 'fakes' do state on the glasses that they comply with the ISO standard.

For further reading:
http://www.slate.com/articles/healt..._history_of_eclipse_glasses_and_injuries.html

Here's a screencap from the article of how to tell the 'good' from the 'fake' versions:
DHihdhOVoAAVsYX.jpg


If you don't have glasses, you can use welder's glass - but it must be 'shade 12' or higher (NASA indicates that Shade 12 will protect your eyes sufficiently, but some people may find their eyes are irritated using '12'. Shade '14' will allow you to view without irritation, and is the recommended minimum version / type to use.

Sunglasses are NOT protective enough; looking at the reflected image in a mirror will also damage your eyes.

If you decide to take a picture or two with your smartphone, you need to put a filter over that lens, or you'll damage the camera. Thankfully, an extra pair of the cardstock-based glasses will provide a good filter - just cut one of the lenses out, and fasten it in front of the lens.

There will be many professional photos taken, and many available online, so don't fret over not getting a (good) picture. Better to experience it 'in person', especially if you are lucky enough to see totality.

If you have a nicer camera (DSLR, etc.) - then you already know you have to use a solar filter on your lens. I don't need to go into further details here.

With that said, enjoy the eclipse - and if you miss this one, there will be another 'total' visible in North America in 2024 - seven years from now. However, it will cover a smaller area than the one on Monday.

See you next week!
 

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