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2024-11-11

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Fake eclipse glasses are hitting the market. Here’s how to tell if you have a pair (www.cnn.com)

submitted 8 months ago by MicroWave to c/science

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As the total solar eclipse, occurring across Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, draws near, experts are reminding spectators to grab a pair of eclipse glasses to view the celestial event safely — and to make sure they aren’t fake.

Counterfeit eclipse glasses are “polluting the marketplace,” according to a release shared by the American Astronomical Society, or AAS.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s face from view for a few moments. About 32 million people in the US live within the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path of totality, or locations where the moon will appear to completely cover the sun and the lunar shadow falls on the Earth’s surface. People outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse in which the moon only blocks part of the sun’s face.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

So the conclusion is: Test your eye protection, whatever it is, like the article says.

I have heard those words before but forgot about them and often get confused with the meanings. Thanks for the explanations, good read.

I have seen a lot of auto darkening helmets

Those look awesome but they are too expensive here and I always worry they will take too long to darken

I suppose there's also the possibility that the equivalents of ANSI or OSHA or whoever sets the standards for welding lenses in your country, may use a different system or terminology than we do here in the states, which could make most of what I'm saying here largely irrelevant.

Probably. I think we are also a bit careless when it comes to safety measures. Like Ive seen DIY videos on YT that makes me think the maker is being a bit paranoid about safety only to then read the comments telling them all the other safety measures they skipped and all I can think of is "I would have done it worse" lol.