It’s coming! A truly exciting celestial event, the total solar eclipse, is coming North America’s way on April 8, 2024.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explains that a “total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.” Though the sky becomes darker, you cannot watch an eclipse without safe eclipse glasses (also known as safe solar viewing glasses) or a safe handheld solar viewer. Neither your sunglasses, your phone, a telescope, a camera, binoculars or any other regular viewing items are effective or safe.
Here’s how to make sure you’re protecting your eyes during the total solar eclipse and where to buy safe solar eclipse glasses for your viewing party, whether you’re getting together with a few friends or are ordering in bulk for a big crowd.
Where to Pick Up Solar Eclipse Glasses in Person
If you ran out of time to order online, you still have options. Some local police stations, libraries and museums will have glasses to hand out for free closer to the eclipse date. Plus, you can get them at.select retailers.
Warby Parker Solar Eclipse Glasses
Warby parker has announced it will be giving away free ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses at all stores April 1 until April 8 (eclipse day). Glasses will be available only while supplies last, though, so get them as early as you can.
When Is the 2024 Eclipse?
The total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024, and people in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada will have a chance to see it. About 88% of adults watched the 2017 eclipse, and NASA reports that the 2024 total eclipse has a wider path of totality and a trajectory that passes over more densely populated areas than that one, so that gives more people a chance to see this incredible event for themselves. (If you miss it, the National Park Service says the next time you can view a total solar eclipse across the U.S. is 2045.)
Why Do I Need Solar Glasses for the Eclipse?
By viewing the sun without safe solar viewing glasses, you could cause major damage to your eyes, both the cornea and the retina. In fact, even a few seconds of looking at the sun without the proper protection may cause permanent damage. There is a brief window of a few minutes during the total eclipse when the moon fully blocks out the sun and you are able to safely remove your protective eyewear, but otherwise your protective eyewear must be worn at all times.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Solar Eclipse Glasses
- The Planetary Society says that in order to be sure that your glasses are safe, they must be certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and be labeled ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015. That means they’ve been tested by a lab and meet all the necessary requirements for safe solar eclipse viewing. The only problem is that some knockoff glasses may be labeled as certified by the ISO when they’re not. To be confident, only buy from an American Astronomical Society (AAS)-approved vendor. If they are not on this AAS list, don’t buy them.
- Before using your solar eclipse glasses, check to make sure they are in good condition, without any scratches or visible damage. If they are damaged in any way, don’t use them.
- Even if you are wearing safe solar eclipse glasses, you cannot watch the eclipse through a camera or telescope unless you have a special solar eclipse fitted filter on top.
- Children’s eyes are at higher risk of damage from viewing the eclipse, so have them put on their glasses before they look up and keep them on for the entire time. If they’re too young to keep their glasses on, it’s best to watch at home via a livestream instead.
Where to Buy Solar Eclipse Glasses
Make sure that your glasses are tested by the ISO and on the AAS approved vendor list, such as the following suggested retailers.
Amazon
Solar Eclipse Glasses (10-pack)
This is the perfect-size party pack for your viewing. These glasses are CE and ISO certified and safe for direct viewing of the eclipse. Plus, the pack of 10 glasses comes with a bonus photo filter lens that you can affix to your cellphone’s camera lens to make it capable of taking shots of the eclipse.
Price: $15.99 at Amazon
DayStar Filters
Order in bulk with these affordable cardboard solar glasses. AAS-approved DayStar Filters sell in sets of five all the way up to 1,000+, in a range of fun colors and patterns.
Solar Eclipse Style Eclipse Solar Glasses (5-Pack)
This cool eclipse pattern is perfect for the occasion.
Price: $19.95 for 5 at ICStars.com
American Eclipse Style Eclipse Solar Glasses
For a bigger group, you can get these American flag-designed glasses, which come in a minimum order size of 500 glasses.
Price: $750 (pack of 500) at ICStars.com
Rainbow Symphony
Much like DayStar, Rainbow Symphony sells AAS-approved disposable solar eclipse glasses in bulk. They offer a smaller range of designs but a larger range of bulk amounts. You can order 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 250-, 500-, or 1000-packs.
Eclipse Glasses – Safe Solar Glasses – Eclipse Shades
Order your set of two all the way up to 1,000 of these safety glasses. They come with instructions in English or Spanish.
Price: From $7.95 for two at RainbowSymphony.com
2024 Great North American Total Solar Eclipse Glasses and Commemorative Poster
For your family, pick up this fun set of glasses and an 11 x 17 commemorative poster designed by the artist Tyler Nordgren for a cool souvenir. You can get these in sets of 10 and up. Be aware that there’s just one poster per order, though you can contact Rainbow Symphony if you’d like to order more posters.
Price: From $19.95 at RainbowSymphony.com
eclipseglasses.com by American Paper Optics
This company has playful AAS-approved disposable glasses. Choose from themes like space cowboy, cosmic groove and “get mooned,” in packs all the way up to 2,500.
Bill Nye Eclipse Glasses
These cool, limited-release glasses have our favorite science guy, Bill Nye, on them. Order in amounts starting from 25 all the way to 2,500.
Price: From $106 at EclipseGlasses.com
The Green Alien Eclipse Glasses
For a smaller group, these hilarious alien themed glasses come in sets of four through 25.
Price: From $33 at EclipseGlasses.com
Flip’n Shades
AAS approved, Flip’n Shades makes eyewear for sun viewing that you can use again and again. Attach these special shades to a hat, flip them down when viewing the sun, then flip them back up again. Bonus: they offer free shipping on their products.
Eclipse Lens
Attach these adjustable polycarbonate glasses to a visor or hat to safely look at the sun. nice and sturdy, you can use these for any sun-gazing activities.
Price: $15.99 at FlipnShades.com
Fitted Cap with Eclipse Lens
Get not only the glasses but a matching hat, which will help keep you sun safe, too.
Price: $24.99 at FlipnShades.com
DIY Solar Eclipse Box Pinhole Projector
Another way to view the total solar eclipse safely is by making your own box pinhole projector with simple supplies you probably already have on hand. All you need is a cardboard box, like a shoebox or cereal box, a pencil, scissors, tin foil, a push pin, tape, and a white piece of paper. Here are step-by-step directions from NASA.
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