Solar eclipse glasses: Where to buy a safe, certified pair before the August 12 eclipse

On August 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible over areas of northeast North America and eastern Canada. The path of totality crosses northern Spain, Iceland and Greenland, but parts of the US and Canada will still be able to see a small partial solar eclipse of up to around 27%. Even though it won't be a particularly noteworthy eclipse, especially on the tail of 2024's total solar eclipse, it's still a wonderful sight to see.

Even with a portion of our star covered up, it is NEVER safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper protective equipment; to enjoy this celestial spectacle, you must wear a pair of certified solar eclipse glasses at all times, or otherwise use a solar-filtered telescope or binoculars.

Failure to do so could risk permanent eye damage.

"Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury," according to NASA. Prior studies have shown that solar-induced eye damage can last hours, weeks, or even decades.

NASA adds that the only safe way to watch the partial phase of an eclipse is through a pair of approved solar eclipse glasses, or by viewing the eclipse indirectly with the help of a pinhole camera, a kitchen colander or a well-placed disco ball.

Finding a pair of quality solar eclipse glasses is easy, but you have to know what you're looking for and be prepared to avoid common scams. You can also reuse any glasses you picked up for 2024's "Great American Eclipse", as long as they aren't visibly scratched or damaged.

Here's everything you need to know about getting a pair of certified solar eclipse glasses before August 12.

Where to buy approved solar eclipse glasses

When buying solar eclipse glasses, the most important thing is to choose a pair that has been approved as safe by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), which tests and evaluates solar filters based on an international safety standard called ISO 12312-2.

You can view the AAS' list of approved eclipse glasses brands, including online vendors that resell those brands, on their official website, linked above. The list includes popular eclipse glasses manufacturers such as Lunt Solar Systems, American Paper Optics, Alpine Astronomical, Celestron and many others that still have supplies in stock and offer express shipping.

You'll notice that the AAS doesn't share any links to Amazon, eBay or other online marketplaces. That's because, "in the weeks leading up to the August 2017 U.S. solar eclipse, such sites hosted numerous sellers of eclipse glasses and other solar viewers that had not been properly tested and shown to be safe," according to the AAS.

Therefore, it's best to buy directly from an approved company.

• Amazon: Celestron: solar eclipse glasses
• Walmart: Smartphone filters, solar glasses
• Best Buy: Solar gear: Telescopes, binoculars and solar viewers
• Target: Solar eclipse glasses
• B&H: Solar observing gear

Counterfeit solar eclipse glasses: red flags to watch for

To avoid buying counterfeit or unsafe eclipse glasses when you're shopping through Amazon, make sure that the seller's name is identified on the site and that the same seller's name is one of the approved brands listed on the AAS page. A potential red flag to watch for is glasses marked as "NASA approved"; NASA does not approve any third-party products, so seeing this supposed selling point on an Amazon vendor's page can indicate the glasses are untested, according to the AAS.

When your glasses arrive, look for an ISO logo printed on the side (it may be on the interior or exterior of the frames). If there is no ISO logo clearly displayed, that's a sign that your glasses are an uncertified counterfeit, and not safe to use.

Also be sure to test your solar eclipse glasses at home before looking at the sun. Look at a bright source of light in your house, like a lamp, to see whether the solar filters successfully reduce the light to a dim ember. If they don't, your glasses may not be safe for use during the eclipse.

Buying glasses in-person

If you'd prefer to buy a pair of approved eclipse glasses in person, the AAS recommends stopping by a Home Depot, Lowe's or Walmart to check if they have any in stock. (Some, but not all, locations sell ISO-approved eclipse glasses, according to the AAS.)

Can you reuse solar eclipse glasses?

If you bought approved solar eclipse glasses to view the total solar eclipse in April 2024, then you can safely reuse them this August --- so long as the filters do not have any visible scratches, punctures, or tears, according to NASA.

"Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device," NASA advises.

Are sunglasses good enough?

One final, important note: Solar eclipse glasses are NOT the same as sunglasses, and cannot be used interchangeably.

While sunglasses allow about 10% to 20% of daylight into your eyes, approved solar eclipse filters are typically 100,000 times darker, according to Live Science's sister site Space.com. Do not make the mistake of staring at the sun without the proper, safety-tested eyewear; you could regret it for years.