Solar eclipse glasses, for adults and kids?

March 21, 2024 1:12 PM

There's going to be a solar eclipse in a few weeks and I'd like to watch it. How can I find safe eyewear for myself? And is it possible for kids age 5 and 2 to watch it safely (like big glasses with a strap?) or is that too risky? It feels a bit risky!

There are tons of disposable eclipse glasses on Amazon but how do I evaluate which ones are legit?

All products would need to be purchased in, or shipped to, Toronto Canada.

Thanks!

posted by nouvelle-personne to Science & Nature (20 answers total)

I purchased mine at B & H. There was no shipping costs for me here in US not sure about Canada. I just couldn't be sure some Amazon ones weren't going to be counterfeits.
posted by ReluctantViking at 1:16 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

Great question. There’s a page on this topic from the American Astronomical Society, which includes a list of certified sellers. I wouldn’t buy from Amazon, I think. Hopefully there’s some info there that will help you figure out if any are kid sized — I haven’t combed their listings very deeply.
posted by eirias at 1:16 PM on March 21 [3 favorites]

My understanding is that Toronto public libraries are handing out eclipse glasses. They may go quickly or be already gone, but worth checking.

Otherwise, the Royal Astronomical Society has a page with information on where to get them.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:23 PM on March 21 [2 favorites]

Celestron sells cheap eclipse glasses that are available on Amazon - I trust them because they're a major telescope manufacturer.
posted by kickingtheground at 1:25 PM on March 21

Best answer: Shade 14 welding glass is another option, and Phillips Safety is one company that offers a goggle-like option, as well as glasses with side shields. They might be on the large side for your kids, but worth looking into if you want an option that fastens to their heads.

Another option is to make a box viewer which requires you to stand with your back toward the sun. This way, the temptation to take off glasses or look around the protective film/glass is hopefully mitigated.
posted by eekernohan at 1:28 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

American Astronomical society has a list of Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters

They list North American Manufacturers as well as Authorized Dealers of Products Made in North America or Germany

I ordered some Day Star glasses from B and H Photo the other day.
They'll be here tomorrow
They 're an authorized distributor out of New York and Day Star is a Safe supplier.

they have various packages.

I paid $20 for 20 pair.
Shipping , duties was $8 to Toronto.
It's gone up a bit now
yeah I'll be giving them out.
posted by yyz at 1:41 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

Just to note that if you're traveling to the path of totality, eclipse glasses are for *before* and *after* totality.

During totality you can just look at the sun and point cameras at it without filters.

I am told that the difference between almost totality, you need your eye safety on, and totality is Not Subtle.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 2:01 PM on March 21

nouvelle-personne

I'm also in Toronto
I ordered from B & H the evening of Mar 18 th and UPS tried to deliver it this morning the 21st
Only damn time UPS has delivered in the morning, and I was not home lol !
So tomorrow it is.

B and H does keep the Sabbath ,so they're closed for business on Saturdays.

Seems there's still time to get them before the eclipse.
posted by yyz at 2:21 PM on March 21

Using the AAS list that other have recommended, I ended up ordering these from Halo. They come with markers so the kids can color in the design ahead of time. They were $30 for 10 glasses or you can get 5 glasses with a mystery design for $15.

Safety might an issue - I would want to my kids to hold them up their face while looking at the sun or maybe tape them around the back of their head. As noted, you only need them when you are looking at the sun before and after the moment of totality. You can also have a pin-hole viewer that the kids can use duirng the before and after where they look at the shadow of the moon moving across the sun rather than directly at the sun. Last eclipse, which was only a partial where I lived,t the space between the leaves on the tree where enough to create the "pin hole" effect - so it can actually very large holes as long as there is still shadow around it.
posted by metahawk at 2:21 PM on March 21

For kids, I've seen some cute DIY projects to keep kids eyes protected.

Here are a couple with paper plates (I've also seen some elastic backstrap things--can't find a good link, but I trust you'll get the gist).
posted by box at 2:57 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

Just received my order from B & H.
UPS guy just dropped it off lol
Didn't even ring the bell .

So I ordered 8 pm Mar 18
Package of 20 glasses arrived 6 pm Mar 21
Pretty good
From New York to Toronto.

Package is a bubble wrap envelope about 18 inches by 12 inches containing a shrink wrapped package of 20 eclipse glasses
posted by yyz at 3:06 PM on March 21

Best answer: To ease your anxiety - keep in mind that it is no
more dangerous to look at the sun during an eclipse than it is to look at the sun on any other day. It’s just that people don’t really try and look at the sun on most days. Your kids will naturally turn their eyes away. You can have them look with the glasses or a pin hole projector before and after, and then let them look directly during totality. Totality is an unbelievable experience; you and your kid will enjoy!!

(I have a PhD in planetary science, and watched the 2017 eclipse with my then 5-year old. I also am prone to anxiety, yet have no worries about this!)
posted by les34 at 3:20 PM on March 21 [5 favorites]

Best answer: This site recommends that kids watch it on TV.

This video points out different ways to observe the phenomena... some with different senses than sight.
posted by oceano at 3:41 PM on March 21

If might also be worth turning to Toronto-based social media to see if there are any reports of where glasses can be obtained in person.

In the U.S., at least, it seems pretty common to be able to obtain glasses at town halls, libraries, and science museums.
posted by oceano at 3:52 PM on March 21

Best answer: You can also view the eclipse safely in a bucket of water.
posted by atomicstone at 4:00 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

I got mine from Rainbow Symphony
posted by fluttering hellfire at 5:47 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

I ordered online from Khan Scope, chose store pickup, then picked them up the next day at their strip mall location on Dufferin. I combined it with a Costco trip on a single TTC fare. (You may now clap.)
posted by maudlin at 6:09 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

I agree with les34 regarding safety: my kid had just turned two for the 2017 eclipse and followed the glasses rules perfectly (we joked at the time that they did far better than the US president). The adults took turns watching over them prior to totality just to be sure, and then yes, totality was astonishingly apparent. We didn't do anything special to secure the glasses but did have a backup pair in case anyone's lenses got crumpled in a toddler fist.
posted by teremala at 6:36 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

Warby Parker is giving away eclipse glasses at all of its stores, including those in Canada, starting April 1.
posted by Seeking Direction at 8:03 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]

My eye doctor’s office was selling them recently. Might be worth popping into an eye wear provider to see if none of the other suggestions work.
posted by mostly vowels at 8:45 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]