Are you traveling to see the eclipse?

[rastahomie]

Do you have a brand name? Yeah - that's what most of these things look like. Everything looks black but a very bright light will produce an orange color. There are some safe ones out there that have a more natural look, but they're more expensive.

Yes: Eclipser. It appears that you have to either a) buy plastic glasses for $15; b) buy a $6 book and get a pair of free paper glasses with it; or c) buy paper glasses for $1.25 each, minimum order 50. Or go to a Walmart in (or near) Totality. Or maybe they're at Walmarts all across the country?

 

[SMD]

Do you have a brand name? Yeah - that's what most of these things look like. Everything looks black but a very bright light will produce an orange color. There are some safe ones out there that have a more natural look, but they're more expensive.

Try EclipSmart.

 

[bcla]

Yes: Eclipser. It appears that you have to either a) buy plastic glasses for $15; b) buy a $6 book and get a pair of free paper glasses with it; or c) buy paper glasses for $1.25 each, minimum order 50. Or go to a Walmart in (or near) Totality. Or maybe they're at Walmarts all across the country?

Their version is right in NASA's example for what to look for.

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/safe_glasses_flyer.pdf
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

Our partner the American Astronomical Society has verified that these five manufacturers are making eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: American Paper Optics, Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold film only), Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.​

 

[bcla]

Try EclipSmart.

I was kind of curious because I didn't see the name on the NASA list. They say that the filter material is made by American Paper Optics so I guess it meets the requirements.

http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/solar-observing/eclipsmart/eclipsmart-solar-shades

 

[rajak73]

Nope, not traveling, it's going to come right over me so all I have to do is step outside the door.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Lowe's has eclipse glasses that meet the description and brand on NASA's list. They were in canisters at the register. Their website can check the inventory at the store; it said mine had 226 left when I was there; another one local to me had over 800. I believe you can even order them online for in-store pick-up or home delivery.

The ones I ordered off Amazon meet all the descriptions for counterfeit from the article I read about certified eclipse glasses. The address on the side is vague. The ear hooks are curved instead of angled. When I look in my orders and click on the item, it has been removed from Amazon.

The differences between the two are obvious when comparing them side by side. The real ones have a silvery look to the lenses, and the fake ones do not. The most critical difference, however, is that the fake ones do not block nearly as much light. I can look directly at my kitchen lamp and see a glow with the fake ones, but I can't see the lamp at all with the real ones. I'm maybe 4 feet away from it and it's a frosted incandescent bulb. Looking outside through the window, I can make out the shapes of my patio cover with the fake ones; with the real ones I can't make out a thing.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Here is the article I read that gives details about spotting counterfeit glasses: https://qz.com/1040159/solar-eclips...zon-may-not-meet-nasa-safety-recommendations/
Another source: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters

Here are photos I took of the glasses. Of course, it was not obvious from the Amazon listing that these were counterfeit, since the seller was promoting them as certified. The listing is now gone, but I think the image in the listing did not match the item I received.

The top/right pair of glasses in both photos is the legitimate one.

It's hard to tell with the small writing, but the address on the counterfeit one is simply "Ground Floor. Dany Avenue." The address on the legitimate one is an actual full address. Good luck mailing something to "Ground Floor Dany Avenue"!

This is what is most concerning. This image was taken through the lenses of the counterfeit glasses on a particularly hazy day. There is no corresponding image taken through the legitimate lenses because it's all black.

 

[BLAZEY]

Nope not goin anywhere, Kind of wish I had bought the glasses when I was in Portland OR though. We live in Victoria BC, and probably have the best view in Canada at 91%.

 

[SMD]

I was kind of curious because I didn't see the name on the NASA list. They say that the filter material is made by American Paper Optics so I guess it meets the requirements.

http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/solar-observing/eclipsmart/eclipsmart-solar-shades

They're made by Celestron and their telescopes and binoculars are legitimate. I bought a pair of their binoculars. My cousin is a hardcore eclipse follower who travels all over the world, and suggested I'd get a better view if I bought the film and fabricated my own caps for my really good binoculars. After reading instructions I'm not really that confident in my ability to make something without a light leak, and will happily pay for peace of mind and less magnification as the trade off.

I'm a little worried about wearing eclipse glasses over eyeglasses and not getting good coverage. But the last time I went to an eclipse viewing we didn't sit there and stare at it constantly, but checked every few minutes and I even shared my glasses a few times. So I figure worse case we'll pass my binoculars around.

 

[SMD]

Just an update, I ordered a viewing package that includes a spot for the eclipse, food and glasses/viewers. The glasses came in the mail today, and they were custom printed Rainbow Symphony glasses that were made for the event. If the plastic ones come back in stock I'll probably get a pair, because those seem like the best ones to wear over eyeglasses.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

We are driving 2 hours to Nashville for 100% totality. Can't wait to see it!!!

 

[bcla]

Just an update as the day comes closer. This article was from Thursday and it stated that there was already heavy traffic in central Oregon. Gas stations were selling out, although they got deliveries fairly quickly. Some roads were completely stopped where there was a specific eclipse festival and people got out of their cars. Apparently the wait to get in was 12 hours.

http://www.oregonlive.com/eclipse/2..._clogs_gas_stations_roads_central_oregon.html

Not sure how this translates to other parts of the country, but I'm getting the suspicion if you're looking to drive out on the day of the eclipse hoping that traffic might just be slow, you might not make it if the traffic is completely stopped.

 

[bcla]

Someone mentioned being in Yellowstone and possibly driving to Grand Teton to get in the totality. They're getting a whopping 10 whole rangers coming in from Yellowstone and other parks to help with the load of visitors.

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/jacks...cle_bbdef96b-c869-5e52-a4af-f32ef9032b53.html

Apparently anyone who is considered a "ranger" is going to be working in the field on the day of the eclipse, even someone who is usually just a pencil pusher. The park superintendent says that one of his subordinates gets to tell him his duty for the day as he's going to be out helping visitors. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is adding staff at the National Elk Refuge near Jackson and the Forest Service is sending in personnel from the regional office in Utah. So it sounds like a lot of office workers are being sent out to do field work.

 

[xlxo]

13 hours on Greyhound one way. Hoping traffic delays won't increase the hours by too much more. At least there's a bathroom in the back..... no bushes for me!

 

[Nornster]

Someone mentioned being in Yellowstone and possibly driving to Grand Teton to get in the totality. They're getting a whopping 10 whole rangers coming in from Yellowstone and other parks to help with the load of visitors.

Yup, that was me. We are checking into Old Faithful Inn Sunday, coming from Cheyenne. We already go an email from the hotel, telling us to avoid the southern entrance to the park. Which we'll do on Sunday, but of course that's where we'll be headed out Monday morning to drive down to Jackson. We're now thinking of leaving at 4 am instead of 5! But I'm getting philosophical - if we get down to our viewing spot in Jackson, great. If not, I hope we'll be stuck in traffic still in the path of totality. If not, our trip out West still won't be ruined. I can't control it at this point, anyway.

 

[Nornster]

But we are bringing extra food, water and toilet paper in our car, just in case!

 

[bookgirl]

We're driving up to Kansas City. We have free rooms at the Harrah's Casino. We plan to just drive out to some small town without many street lights, we are purposely avoiding towns that have planned events. It it's crazy we'll just hand out at the hotel.

We'll have a cooler to snack out of during the eclipse.

I'm not sure I buy the 'two weeks food' thing but I may be jaded. Afterall I survived Y2K with my bank account and computer intact and the 9-11 gas/duct tape/peanut butter shortages.

 

[bcla]

We're driving up to Kansas City. We have free rooms at the Harrah's Casino. We plan to just drive out to some small town without many street lights, we are purposely avoiding towns that have planned events. It it's crazy we'll just hand out at the hotel.

We'll have a cooler to snack out of during the eclipse.

I'm not sure I buy the 'two weeks food' thing but I may be jaded. Afterall I survived YK2 with my bank account and computer intact and the 9-11 gas/duct tape/peanut butter shortages.

Not sure how helpful that's going to be, but good luck. At least the places with planned events will have the infrastructure in place to support visitors.

Right now everyone has access to technology. Almost anyone can research online maps and perhaps come up with a plan. There are going to be so many people thinking of being in a place that should theoretically be less crowded, but it's a very narrow band so I imagine that there's not likely to be any spot that the public at large will overlook. I'd imagine the best plan is to arrive at least a couple of days early and then stay where one is. I'd hope that local authorities would be lenient with people doing things like sleeping in their cars, although word is that authorities will be cracking down on people stopped on freeways or trying to park on the side of a freeway.

http://www.oregonlive.com/eclipse/2017/08/dont_even_think_about_parking.html

I personally think some of the best plans include people who will be using bicycles to get around. If traffic doesn't otherwise move, bicycles will. Not sure about motorcycles though, since they're still motor vehicles.