NEWS

These companies make eclipse glasses certified as safe. Here’s where you can find them.

Emily Bohatch
USA TODAY

Whether you’re planning on going to an eclipse viewing party or just sitting out on a blanket in your backyard, you may want to plan ahead on how you’ll actually be viewing the celestial event.

It isn’t safe to look at the sun with the naked eye. Its surface is so bright that if you stare at any portion of it, no matter how small, it produces enough light to permanently damage your retina.

If you don’t have welder’s goggles at your immediate disposal and aren’t a DIY sort of person, you may want to invest in a pair of eclipse glasses.

Glasses certified as safe by the American Astronomical Society and NASA are available nationwide at:

  • Walmart
  • Lowes
  • ToysRUs
  • Home Depot
  • Amazon

 

Here's more information on the certified companies:

Along with this variety of glasses, American Paper Optics is selling Bill Nye themed glasses.

American Paper Optics

These glasses block out 100% of harmful ultraviolet rays, according to the American Paper Optic’s website. The glasses allow you to view the sun’s natural orange color.

If you’re purchasing them for an event, they can be customized. Those not looking to spring for a custom design can still find a range of funky glasses, including Bill Nye-themed ones.

You can purchase American Paper Optic's glasses through Walmart, Lowes, ToysRUs, Home Depot and Amazon.

Lunt Solar Systems eclipse glasses are being sold by TSE.

TSE

You may have seen a truck recently advertising for solar glasses. According to the company’s website, the company has been conducting a sales tour throughout the U.S.

TSE has a range of products, including glasses and sun binoculars. Featured glasses include an Americana design in honor of the Great American Eclipse.

You can purchase TSE glasses at Amazon and Walmart.

Thousand Oaks optical has been selling solar viewing equipment for more than 35 years.

Thousand Oaks Optical

According to Thousand Oaks Optical’s website, these glasses are safe for viewing the sun at any time. The company, which has been manufacturing solar products for more than 35 years, offers both glasses and optical viewing sheets.

You can purchase Thousand Oaks Optical glasses on Amazon.

Rainbow Symphony is offering a selection of designs, including this Americana themed pair of eclipse glasses.

Rainbow Symphony

This company is offering a wide selection of products as well as customized products for businesses or organizations.

Not only does Rainbow Symphony sell an assortment of paper glasses, but they also offer designer solar viewing glasses.

You can buy these on Amazon or at Walmart.

Though these glasses are made in Germany, they're available in the U.S.

Baader Planetarium

To get these glasses, you need to chat with the U.S. distributor, but German company Baader Planetarium is offering an assortment of solar viewing products.

The glasses offer 100% ultra-violet protection and reduce sunlight intensity by 99.999%. Though they aren’t available in many designs, they do sport an interesting planetary theme.

You can purchase Baader Planetarium glasses at Walmart.

APM Telescopes

Another German company and telescope producer APM Telescopes also makes solar glasses. Unfortunately, their eclipse glasses are sold out, according to their website. 

Celestron

If you're looking for some reading material with your new eclipse glasses, Celestron may be the brand for you. If you order from their site, your glasses will arrive with a 32-page eclipse guide book. The book comes with a time table and map showing the direction of the eclipses. At the time of publication, though, Celestron's site was out of stock. 

You can purchase Celestron glasses on eBay, Amazon, Walmart and Target.

DayStar

Though DayStar produces solar glasses along with their other space viewing equipment, they are currently sold out of glasses, according to their website.

Lunt Solar Systems

Lunt Solar Systems are a manufacturer of TSE glasses, which are produced in Germany. The glasses come with a scannable QR code, which links to a site about eclipse viewing and safety.

Glasses are available for purchase on Amazon and at Walmart.

Meade Instruments

Though they're not currently listed on Meade Instruments's website, the company does sell solar glasses. The glasses, which filter out 100 percent of harmful ultra-violet and infrared rays, sport a quieter design than most solar glasses.

They are still available on Amazon.

Seymour Solar

Seymour Solar touts a line of Helios Glasses, but they currently aren't available on their website or on Amazon.

Follow Bohatch on Twitter: @emilybohatch