Where to find safe glasses to watch the total solar eclipse in Hamilton and Niagara
Pick up a free pair at a city event, or buy from a verified source, experts say
To prepare for the much anticipated total solar eclipse in April, Kiran Harris ordered a pair of safety glasses from what appeared to be a reputable company with a credible website.
But when the Hamilton teacher opened up the package, she said she was immediately suspicious.
The glasses, printed with a Canada-themed motif on the front, were missing the "ISO" and "CE" markers on the back that would indicate they meet international and European standards for protective eyewear. Instead, there was the Jesus fish symbol and a reference to a Bible verse.
"If you put bible verses and not the certification logos, to me, that's a red flag," Harris said.
She also held them up to a reading lamp — much dimmer than the sun — and could clearly see the light shining through.
Third-party vendors are allowed to print whatever they would like on the glasses.
Additionally, the company that sold Harris the glasses was added to the American Astronomical Society (AAS)'s list of vendors of "products tested at properly accredited labs" after this story was first published.
Harris said her experience shows the value in doing your research.
Instead of wearing the $5 glasses to protect her eyes on the day of the solar eclipse, Harris said she'll be using them as an example for her students of what not to buy.
That's the best course of action, said Victor Abraham, vice president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Hamilton chapter.
Without "expensive equipment" there's no way to know for sure how protective the glasses will be until Harris is staring up at the sky when the eclipse takes place, Abraham said. And the possible damage to her eyes is "simply not worth the risk."
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As April 8 approaches, and the Hamilton-Niagara area is pegged as among the best places to view the once-in-a-lifetime total eclipse, those viewing it are advised to protect their eyes by wearing safety glasses — but only from verified sources.
"The danger lies in the fact that even during a partial eclipse, the sun's intense radiation can cause severe damage to the eyes," says the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
The association warns looking directly at the sun during the total eclipse can lead to "solar retinopathy" — permanent damage to the retina's light-sensitive cells.
Where to get certified glasses
Abraham suggests following the guide from the AAS or snagging a free, certified pair provided by McMaster University.
Those glasses are no longer available at public libraries in Hamilton, as they've run out.
The city, which has so far distributed 50,000 glasses, will have limited supplies available at designated viewing sites, starting around 12:30 p.m. Tourism manager Ryan McHugh advised people to show up early if they're in need of a pair.
The four Hamilton designated viewing sites are:
- Bayfront Park, 200 Harbour Front Dr.
- Piers 4 Park, 64 Leander Dr.
- T.B. McQuesten Community Park, 1199 Upper Wellington St.
- Confederation Park, 680 Waterfront Trail
The AAS's list includes manufacturers and sellers that have demonstrated their products meet the safety requirements of the international standard.
It does not recommend purchasing eclipse glasses from online retailers like Amazon or eBay unless the seller is AAS approved.
The AAS put out a statement last week advising that some sellers, not on its list, are "making misleading claims" about their products for the eclipse and posting "questionable documentation" about their safety.
The company Harris purchased her glasses from, for example, was not among the authorized sellers recommended by AAS when she purchased them. (It has since been added, however.)
A twist of fate
Harris has since picked up a free pair of glasses at the library, and said when she held them up to her reading lamp, the pinpricks of light were barely visible.
She'll be donning them on April 8, when she and her partner will try to "get as high as we can" to make sure they get a good view — likely somewhere on the Mountain brow.
Harris said she's been waiting to watch a total solar eclipse for more than 20 years.
She grew up in London, U.K. and was about 11 years old when a total eclipse happened there. But her mother made her stay inside, fearful she'd hurt her eyes, she said.
Harris vowed she wouldn't miss the next one.
"And it's interesting luck because one of the best places to view this eclipse is right here in Hamilton," she said. "And we just moved here two months ago."
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