Shop Solar Eclipse Glasses For The Upcoming Partial Solar Eclipse

There's still time to buy before the March 29 event.

Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses Approved 2024 — Solar Eclipse Glasses
(Amazon)

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There’s a rare sunrise solar eclipse coming Saturday, March 29, as a partial solar eclipse will be visible from eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. Be sure to set your alarms on Saturday morning between 4:50 a.m. and 8:43 a.m. ET to witness the partial solar eclipse if you're one of the 800 million people in the eclipse viewing area.

To be able to watch this sunrise in the shape of a Cheshire Cat grin, though, you’ll need the proper eyewear. We outline some tips to keep in mind when buying your solar eclipse glasses, as well as a few top picks that could still make it on time for our eclipse watchers.

Why Do You Need Solar Eclipse Glasses?

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR), and looking at the sun wearing anything that isn’t specially designed to deal with both the visible light and invisible radiation could cause major injury, including blindness.

The only safe way to view a full or partially-eclipsed sun is through solar filters (also known as eclipse glasses) or handheld solar viewers, and it’s critical that these filters must meet the safety requirements of ISO 12312-2.

Solar eclipse glasses are made of black polymer, a flexible resin infused with carbon particles that are about 100,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses and block nearly all visible light (as well as UV and IR).

Can You Watch A Solar Eclipse Through Your Smartphone?

You cannot use regular glasses or a smartphone to see the solar eclipse - you must get glasses that are specially designed to block out the sun’s rays. Viewing any part of the sun through a camera, binoculars or a telescope without a special solar filter can cause an immediate severe eye injury.

There are smartphone lens filters, however, that will allow you to view the eclipse through your phone lens without it potentially damaging your lenses.

What To Look For When Buying Solar Eclipse Glasses

American Paper Optics is the premier brand when it comes to solar eclipse glasses. When buying, make sure there is proper labeling on the inside of each pair of glasses, including wearing instructions and ISO certification.

When we last spoke with The Weather Channel’s on-camera meteorologist, Danielle Banks, she said, “Be really careful when buying from any third-party sellers. Make sure the glasses meet the proper safety standards so you don’t hurt your eyes.”

Our Top Picks: Solar Eclipse Glasses And Camera Lens Options

You can certainly shop through Amazon, just make sure the glasses have a proper ISO certification listed on the glasses and the shopping page. Another good resource is B&H Photo, which offers a selection starting at a single pair of solar eclipse glasses, up to hundreds in a bundle.