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Eclipse Fever: Last-Minute Dash for Safe Viewing
10 Aug
Summary
- High street stores and online retailers are sold out of eclipse glasses.
- Specialized glasses are essential; ordinary sunglasses are unsafe.
- Indirect viewing methods, like using a colander, are possible.
High street stores across the UK are experiencing a sell-out of specialized eclipse glasses as eager shoppers scramble for safe viewing methods for the upcoming partial solar eclipse. Online retailers are also reporting delays, with deliveries expected to arrive too late for the event. Consumer experts have stressed that ordinary sunglasses are not safe for direct solar observation.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich confirmed they have sold out of eclipse glasses due to overwhelming demand. While specialized eyewear like Lunt and Bresser glasses were offered, stock quickly depleted. Distributeors noted that most people left their purchases until the last minute.
For those unable to obtain protective eyewear, experts recommend indirect viewing techniques. Using household items with small holes, such as a colander or a piece of paper with a pinhole, can project a safe image of the eclipse onto a surface. It is crucial to view the projected image and not the sun itself to prevent vision damage.
