YSK: You can do a simple check on your solar eclipse glasses before August 12

[u/SillyEngineer]

Why YSK: Because counterfeit and incorrectly manufactured eclipse glasses have been a recurring problem before major eclipses.

In 2024, I bought a pair of eclipse glasses that looked legitimate, but when I tried them indoors I realized something was wrong: I could see ordinary objects like ceiling fans and other details through them. That sent me down a rabbit hole learning how these filters are supposed to work, and how the ISO 12312-2 standard came about.

Three quick checks:

1. Look for markings indicating compliance with ISO 12312-2. This is not a guarantee of safety, but it's a good first sign.
2. Try them indoors first. You should not be able to see normal objects or room details through properly rated eclipse glasses. Seeing the filament of a very bright light bulb can be normal. Check out some light bulb tests in action here: https://youtu.be/Q8aYrD32aAM
3. Check the manufacturer. The American Astronomical Society maintains a list of reputable eclipse glasses suppliers.

After I made a demonstration video (link above) about these tips in 2024, the ISO Project Leader for the standard found it and left a comment saying it presented one of the easiest ways for people to check their eclipse glasses. That was very kind of him, and I was grateful for the feedback.

Sources/Citations:

• American Astronomical Society - Solar Eclipse Eye Safety / Reputable Suppliers: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters
• NASA - Eclipse Eye Safety: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/

[u/ReigninLikeA_MoFo]

Good on you OP. I hope this grabs some traction.

[u/SillyEngineer → u/ReigninLikeA_MoFo]

The more eyes saved, the better. Have a wonderful eclipse experience!

[u/SirFister13F → u/SillyEngineer]

One might say, the more eyes on this…

[u/nonnonplussed73 → u/ReigninLikeA_MoFo]

YSK that if you're not in Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, or Europe - and looking within ~15° of the horizon - you're not going to be seeing very much.

https://starwalk.space/en/news/total-solar-eclipse-august-12-2026#map-of-the-2026-total-solar-eclipses-path

Edit: You also have to have a view within ~15° of the horizon.

[u/calm_chowder]

Is there an eclipse coming up?

[u/nowhereman136 → u/calm_chowder]

Total eclipse over Iceland and Northern Spain. Partial eclipse over Canada and Western Europe

[u/demwoodz → u/nowhereman136]

Also total eclipse of the heart

[u/arcxjo → u/demwoodz]

Too soon, man.

[u/demwoodz → u/arcxjo]

You know what they say…forevers gunna start tonight

[u/arcxjo → u/demwoodz]

Now, I'm only falling apart.

[u/GeneralSpecifics9925 → u/calm_chowder]

August 12th. Also the peak of the perseids and a new moon. Big day

[u/bythescruff → u/GeneralSpecifics9925]

It’s on the 12th.

[u/MeltsLikeButter → u/GeneralSpecifics9925]

Happy cake day!! I didn't even know there was another one happening.

[u/GeneralSpecifics9925 → u/MeltsLikeButter]

Thank you :)

You have just less than a month to get your solar viewing glasses!

[u/CeruleanEidolon → u/GeneralSpecifics9925]

The new moon is a prerequisite for a solar eclipse. Rather silly to list it as a separate event. It's the same event.

[u/GeneralSpecifics9925 → u/CeruleanEidolon]

I mentioned it in reference to the meteor shower.

But thanks for just popping in to try to make me look stupid. Enjoy your day!

[u/thegoldengoober]

Oh, oof, I didn't consider that this might be a problem and I'm really glad to see there's a way to test it. It's probably one of those things that more and more people feel is a lot more safe to do, or care a lot about. 

[u/SillyEngineer → u/thegoldengoober]

Hopefully the good glasses far outnumber the bad glasses. Have a safe and wonderful experience. Wish I could be there to see it! Maybe 2027.

[u/battleman1xx]

Since no one has mentioned yet, check your local public libraries! That’s where I got a pair back in 2024. And they were free!

[u/TrainerHonest2695 → u/battleman1xx]

Schools and the local planetarium also!

[u/Agret → u/[deleted]]

Have you got a link to the original video?

[u/Fuckspez42]

Just to add: don’t expect stores to have these in stock the day of; they’ll sell out over a week before the event.

Also, stores who sell items that can do the same thing have gotten wise: for the last eclipse, hardware stores had signs up stating that welding masks purchased in the week before the eclipse were non-returnable.

[u/Wonderful_Horror7315]

I was so lucky to view the total eclipse in my backyard a couple of years ago. Now I keep my glasses in the car to wear when we’re driving (me a passenger) west in the evening. It is so cool! Just an orange circle in the sky. Thanks for the heads up about needing them in August.

[u/SillyEngineer → u/Wonderful_Horror7315]

What most people don't realize is that they don't stop working after the eclipse, lol. I also have a pair always available to check for sunspots. If the spots are big enough, you can definitely see them!

[u/adudeguyman → u/Wonderful_Horror7315]

The real LPT

[u/Pinbrawla]

Total solar eclipse across Egypt next year. Some amazing photo opportunities to be had for the brave.

[u/SillyEngineer → u/Pinbrawla]

I suspect the chances of weather being good there are much better than our 2024 experience here in the states.

[u/amilliondallahs → u/SillyEngineer]

Twas a miracle in Ohio that's for sure

[u/clikes2004 → u/Pinbrawla]

I don't think it's possible to take a photo that actually captures how incredible it looks. In reality you can see the immensity of how big the corona is and the void of where the moon was. Photos can never capture that kind of thing. I think the camera would also have to be HDR to get anything slightly close to reality. I've searched the web trying to find something that is even remotely close. The best I've been able to find is the general shape. The colors are never right. I wouldn't bother wasting time taking a picture. Solar eclipses are so brief and incredible to look at with your own eyes.

[u/Pinbrawla → u/clikes2004]

Fantastic analysis! I'm sure a photographer feels differently.

[u/clikes2004 → u/Pinbrawla]

If a photographer can send me an accurate picture that captures the emotion of the real thing I will be very grateful. It seemed silly to me that people would cry when they'd see a total eclipse but I have to admit that I felt a lot of emotion that caught me off guard. Not one photo has been able to capture something like that.

[u/Pinbrawla → u/clikes2004]

Nice! I'm sure a photographer would like a neat photo of a solar eclipse from a vantage point that captures any number of amazing ancient architecture while Thebes is in totality.

[u/clikes2004 → u/Pinbrawla]

It wouldn't look anything like the real thing.

[u/theepi_pillodu]

Is there a website to track if my city is eligible for this viewing? That way everyone can crosspost in their respective city subs to gain some traction?

[u/Inquisitive-Sky → u/theepi_pillodu]

Here's a map: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2026-august-12

[u/theepi_pillodu → u/Inquisitive-Sky]

Thank You. Not for USA this time. Good to know.

[u/BlueRocketMouse → u/theepi_pillodu]

Unless you live in northern Alaska (next total eclipse in 2033), it's gonna be a while. Contiguous US won't get another total solar eclipse until 2044.

[u/Sarikitty → u/theepi_pillodu]

There will be a partial (nearly total - 96%!) lunar eclipse two weeks later on August 28th, though. It'll be visible from all of the Americas, Africa and Europe.

[u/Viadrus → u/Sarikitty]

Lunar eclipse you get 2 times per year. Nothing special

[u/Sarikitty → u/Viadrus]

More than twice a year usually, and not always at the right location on Earth or the right alignment to get a good show. This one will be nearly total, so it'll be a rusty, bloody red. Special enough for me!

[u/Tunasquish → u/Inquisitive-Sky]

parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, and Portugal

[u/bythescruff → u/theepi_pillodu]

Please do not use an x-ray film or print to look at the sun. This is not safe at all.

[u/SillyEngineer → u/theepi_pillodu]

There is a wonderful free app called Totality that shows you everything you need for pretty much every eclipse for decades. (I have no connection that app).

[u/zeoNoeN]

The interesting part is that ISO 12312-2 is not just a random label printed on eclipse glasses. It was created specifically to define how safe solar viewers should perform.

God I hate these stupid AI not just this, that type of statements. Obviously it’s not a random label, definitely not interesting

[u/SillyEngineer → u/zeoNoeN]

I am but a stupid human. Much of my fall into this rabbit hole had to do with the ISO standard itself, even the proper way to pronounce "ISO". I'd been saying it wrong my whole life. It's derived from the Greek word isos, so you don't state each letter individually. My wording is not always the best. I am fascinated by boring things. I will update the post.

[u/BassWingerC-137]

Stating why August 12 is significant would be significant.