Where to Get Solar Eclipse Glasses

If you’re among the millions of people expecting to view the next eclipse, make sure you purchase solar eclipse filters and glasses from reputable manufacturers. There have been reports that some companies are selling counterfeit products labeled as if they conform to international safety standards.

In response, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) says it is no longer sufficient to look for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) logo on eclipse glasses and filters. The AAS has a list of companies whose products are known to conform to ISO standards, as vetted by the AAS.

“If we don’t list a supplier, that doesn’t mean their products are unsafe,” says AAS press officer and task-force representative Rick Fienberg. “It just means that we have no knowledge of them or that we haven’t convinced ourselves they’re safe.”

How can you tell if your solar viewer is safe?

You shouldn't be able to see anything through a safe solar filter except the sun or something comparably bright, such as the sun reflected in a mirror. If you can see lights of more ordinary brightness through your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer, and you're not sure the product came from a reputable vendor, it's no good, Feinberg said.

The AAS advises the public to not search for eclipse glasses on the internet and buy whatever pops up in the ads or search results. Check the AAS list of reputable vendors and buy from one of them.