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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsScientists warn fake eclipse glasses can literally cook your retina
The order of 7,500 solar eclipse glasses arrived late last month. But before Peru State College could began distributing them to students, officials at the Nebraska school realized there was a problem: The glasses were fakes.
Although the paper-framed eyewear appeared to be made for safe eclipse viewing, a spokesman for the college said they did not meet the criteria outlined by NASA. Handing them out could have put thousands of students at risk of serious eye damage and permanent blindness.
We had so many questions, but after talking to experts, we ultimately decided we werent comfortable giving those to students, said Jason Hogue, the schools marketing director. It was an obvious decision once we had the facts. (The school later ordered glasses from a reputable manufacturer in Arizona.)
Across the country, consumers and retailers have been struggling to identify fraudulent eclipse glasses, viewers and filters, which could cause irreversible damage to users eyes. NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have assembled a list of reputable manufacturers, but they said it has been difficult to guard against copycats, especially on third-party websites. As a result, many say unsafe products abound online ahead of Mondays widely publicized solar eclipse.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/scientists-warn-fake-eclipse-glasses-can-literally-cook-your-retina/2017/08/18/7172989a-8381-11e7-b359-15a3617c767b_story.html
Snarkoleptic
(6,002 posts)hearing about. Thousands are blinded by a shady operator, but may be able to later sue for compensation. (Provided they can afford an attorney AND the company who blinded them has not filed for bankruptcy)
#freedumb
unblock
(52,489 posts)see, those shady operators' blinded customers will not buy from them against during the next solar eclipse in 2024!
so, so, so, seven years from now, boy i tell ya, those companies are really going to go out of business!
and if that doesn't do them in, surely when the eclipse after that comes in 2045, they'll really, really lose a lot of business!
that'll teach them a lesson!
cheating customers never pays, that's why the free market has completely rid our society of shady operators.
except where shady operators actually continue to exist, in which case, the customers must be actually demanding that they be ripped off and blinded!
who are you to question the will of the market!!!!
procon
(15,805 posts)Right after all the customers go blind.
StarryNite
(9,472 posts)It's just not worth the risk.
Ms. Toad
(34,126 posts)but the ones listed by NASA, purchased at brick and mortar stores also listed on the NASA site with product info that matches, are a pretty safe bet
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I sort of procrastinated buying some because I wasn't sure which place online to trust, and didn't see any at brick and mortar stores. I finally decided on Wednesday that I better make it a priority. I ended up ordering from one of the places listed by NASA. Had to pay for overnight shipping and order a minimum of 25 so they weren't cheap, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't want to pass it up. As soon as my shipment arrived I went outside to try them out. They are awesome. I'm confident that my retinas won't get cooked.
I read that if you can't find the eclipse glasses, you could use arc welding goggles rated at least 14. Our local news said to get them rated 12.
I saw that the paper eclipse glasses were for sale by lots of opportunists in the Denver area for $100 apiece. Even if I was willing to pay that much, I wouldn't trust a pair I bought on Craigslist. I'm sharing my legit glasses with family and friends.
I've been telling everyone I know, and even strangers, how important it is to be safe with this. If they don't have the proper protection, they should stick to watching it on television and the Internet. I just hope nobody tries to take that quick peak. There are a lot of people who really have no idea what this is all about. "What's the big deal about this eclipse thing?", they say. I find the whole thing fascinating.
Our local astronomy club is having a viewing party and giving out free glasses. I'm sure that's happening all over the country.
Ms. Toad
(34,126 posts)Science centers and museums around here also seem to be having a number of events with free glasses.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I called a lot of places and they were all out, most having sold out in just a few hours. I ended up paying $150 for the 25 pairs, which is $6 apiece, which doesn't seem all that bad. It's just that I had to order 25 pairs. It's ok, though. It's better than cooked eyeballs.
LeftInTX
(25,762 posts)I bought a bunch at Lowe's a few weeks ago. I gave them to family members.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I needed less than 10 for my family here, and really my husband and I only need one pair because we're watching our 10 month old grandson that morning and he's going to be kept inside. We'll just trade off going out to look. I'll make sure the rest get distributed though.
LeftInTX
(25,762 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)At most, I could sell them at cost, but I'm sure I'll just be giving them away.
Hong Kong Cavalier
(4,573 posts)And the glasses I picked up were among the list NASA said was good for safe eclipse viewing.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I tried to order from there, but they were on back order.
Yavin4
(35,454 posts)global1
(25,294 posts)incidences of people that fried their retina's by using fake glasses or looking directly at the sun.
Thekaspervote
(32,820 posts)The goggles are not meant for arc welding and therefore won't protect your eyes. You can still find them at lowes etc