How to tell if your solar eclipse glasses are fake
As Ontarians prepare for Monday’s solar eclipse, many are discovering that the solar viewing glasses they have purchased may not be safe.
Recently, Amazon issued a recall for certain eclipse glasses that have not been approved by the American Astronomical Society, and warns anyone who received the recall not to use the glasses during the eclipse.
The posting had title variations including the following: “Solar Eclipse Glasses Approved 2024, CE and ISO Certified Solar Eclipse Observation Glasses, Sun Viewing for Solar Eclipse”.
Carleton Place resident Joanne MacDonald also fears she received unsafe eclipse glasses after seeing her pair in a television news segment.
"There was a segment on glasses for the solar eclipse that are not good,” MacDonald told CTV News Ottawa. “The pair they held up were exactly the same pair that were purchased in Perth."
MacDonald says her glasses were purchased at the Home Hardware store in Perth, Ont.
Home Hardware declined an interview but told CTV News Ottawa it stands by the product and was sold out of the glasses at the Perth location.
"In this case, Perth Home Hardware Building Centre bought these glasses from a manufacturer called WC Smith. They have provided certification documents ensuring these glasses are up to standard and that the ISO number stamp is legitimate," a spokesperson for Home Hardware said in an email to CTV News on Saturday.
"Perth Home Hardware Building Centre did their due diligence by ensuring that the manufacturer who sold them these glasses was credible, had the documentation required to meet safety standards, and double checked the ISO stamp on all of the glasses sold in the store."
Many glasses, including the ones sold at the Perth Home Hardware, advertise being "NASA-approved," but NASA says it does not approve any particular brand of solar viewer.
"[They have] the eclipse on the side, and it showed the date and it said approved by NASA,” said MacDonald. “And [the report] said those were the ones that were not good glasses."
So, how can you know if your eclipse glasses are safe for viewing Monday’s solar eclipse?
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has published a list of approved solar viewer manufacturers.
The AAS also says a simple test can be done inside before viewing the sun with your glasses. When worn indoors, the AAS says users should not be able to see anything through the lenses.
All safe viewing glasses must also have filtered lenses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
The AAS warns that any company producing a knockoff product can print anything on their glasses, and urges buyers to check the brand is on their approved list.
With eclipse glasses in such high demand, and without an approved set, MacDonald fears she may miss out on this once in a lifetime event.
"Well, my concern is eye damage. I don't want to take any chances,” said MacDonald.
CTV News Ottawa will have special live coverage of Monday's solar eclipse.
Watch CTVNewsOttawa.ca from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 8. You can also tune in to Newstalk 580 CFRA for continuing coverage.
CTV News will have coverage from Kingston, Brockville, Ottawa and the Niagara Region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.