Where to Get Safe and Reliable Solar Eclipse Glasses

Eclipses are a huge and pretty rare deal for space enthusiasts, and in a matter of days, you'll be able to witness the most special one of them all—namely the total solar eclipse, which is on tap for April 8, 2024.

Regardless of where you have decided to watch it—whether it's on a cruise in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, on a flight above the clouds, or along the path of totalityon land—there is one crucial aspect you shouldn't underestimate, and it has to do with having the right equipment to enjoy the experience.

Forget about fancy telescopes and all that. What you should really be focusing on is making sure you get yourself a good, regulated, and safe pair of solar eclipse glasses or filters. Watching the eclipse with a naked eye is a strong no-no, and it can potentially severely and permanently injure your eyes, so you'd better be careful!

If you don't really know what to look for, don't stress—we've got you covered. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) offers a comprehensive list of reputable manufacturers you can and should trust when purchasing your eclipse glasses, and you can find it right here. It takes into account not only the presence of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) logo—which, according to the AAS, isn't enough anymore due to counterfeit products—but also vetted data from the producing companies to ensure the sellers listed are legit and safe.

There are also some tips you can follow to test the goggles for safety yourself. According to the AAS, you shouldn't be able to see anything through a good pair of eclipse glasses or filters except the actual sun (or something that is as bright as the sun, like its reflection in a mirror). If you are able to see dimmer lights, you're probably better off without those glasses and you should get a new pair.

Also, definitely don't trust everything you read on product descriptions! As the AAS points out, in the past, some eclipse glasses sellers hosted even on the most reputable sites—including Amazon and eBay—listed products that weren't properly tested, and some of them claimed to be approved or endorsed by NASA, which is not true, considering NASA does not approve or endorse products. If you decide to buy from sites like Amazon or eBay, make sure the seller is both identified on the site and listed on the AAS vendors list.

One important thing to note is that, while there are plenty of eclipse glasses available, you should plan on securing a pair ASAP. According to a recent study by e-commerce accelerator Pattern, the price of reliable solar eclipse glasses had already climbed 27% online since the last "ring of fire" eclipse in October. And prices were expected to increase more the closer the eclipse gets. The same study, in fact, projected that prices would go up by another 4% the week before the total solar eclipse.

To help you in your quest for the best pair of eclipse glasses, we put together a small selection of good ones you can easily buy, though you'll want to be sure you select a rush shipping option that will get them to you in time for the eclipse. You can check them out below.

Lunt Solar Systems
You can purchase a pack of five Lunt Solar Systems eclipse glasses for $25.95 on Amazon right now, or you can head over to its website where you can get them for the same price. And as an added bonus, they also offer kids sizes.

Eclipse for a Cause
For larger glasses bundles, you can consider Eclipse for a Cause's eclipse glasses, which are primarily targeted to schools and districts. Not only does the company sell large quantities (up to 3,000-pack bundles!) for pretty cheap, but it also offers a very valid initiative. For every pair of glasses purchased, it donates a pair.

Soluna
Soluna's eclipse glasses are widely available on Amazon, and you can buy them for a good price. On Amazon, they retail for $29.99 for a 10-pack as of this writing, and they come with a pretty cool design as well. Alternatively, you can also buy them on the company's website.

Astronomy for Equity
In addition to offering AAS-approved eclipse glasses, Astronomy for Equity also supports a good cause. The association works to promote STEM education programs in marginalized, isolated, and underserved communities, and it does so through astronomy as well. According to Astronomy for Equity's website, it is no longer accepting orders for eclipse glasses this year, but you can still learn more about its mission and how you can support it going forward.

To take a look at other options, you can scroll through the entire list of AAS-approved vendors, which you can find on this website.

If you're looking for a more cost-effective (AKA free!) option for eclipse glasses, or are worried your order might not arrive in time, there are several options for locking down free eclipse glasses.

First, many public libraries throughout the country are distributing free solar eclipse glasses, thanks to a partnership with the Space Science Institute constituting five million eclipse glasses available from 10,000 US libraries. You can see an interactive map of participating libraries here, but you may want to check with your library to confirm if they still have any available before going there.

Additionally, many retailers are offering free eclipse glasses ahead of April 8. Here are a few of them:

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