In 2017, I drove four hours to a field in the middle of Nebraska and put on a pair of borrowed paper glasses to watch the solar eclipse. Just as the moon crossed into the sun’s path, casting an eerie incandescent light all around the clouds that surrounded us, I thought, Should I have prepared better for this? Granted, half a country away, our then-President Donald Trump was staring directly into the sun without any eye protection, somehow less prepared than a midwestern college student. But should I have done more? Were these glasses enough eye protection? Could I have served a little more in a chicer pair? Most importantly, should I have listened to Bonnie Tyler’s smash hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart (Turn Around),” before, during, and after this once-in-a-lifetime moment?
Well, lucky for all of us, we’ll get another shot at experiencing this astronomical (and astrological!) phenomenon, and this time, we’re going into it prepared! We’re wearing what we need to wear! We’re protecting what needs to be protected! I looked to the experts: What would you do staring into the soul of a solar eclipse?
Should I stare directly into the eclipse?
Trump, is that you? The answer is no. Staring at the sun, especially during an eclipse, can cause permanent damage to your retinas or even blindness. Somehow, Trump dodged any sort of damage (sigh, what’s new) post-eclipse stare-down, but there’s no guarantee the rest of us can do the same. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns, “You must wear special eye protection (sunglasses are NOT enough) to directly observe the sun, during a partial eclipse or any other time.” Regular sunglasses will not protect your vision during an eclipse. What we’re looking for are very specific eclipse sunglasses that meet a worldwide standard known as “ISO 12312-2,” like the ones that advertise themselves as such below.
Where eclipse glasses are available in NYC:
Deputy style editor Joanna Nikas lined at at the B&H Photo this morning at 9 a.m. and confirmed they do still have eclipse glasses left now. If you line up at B&H Photo you can buy those that are still available. Unfortunately, all Warby Parkers and New York City libraries are out of glasses.
As a last resort …
Post on your social media that you are looking for glasses! Most packs come in five or ten, so someone you know might have one or two extra pairs. There is also lots of chatter in Facebook groups like the Buy Nothing Project and on Nextdoor app. Find your neighborhood Facebook groups and meet your neighbors! Now is the time to come together and share! (Also, dig into your own closet. You might have a pair from the 2017 eclipse you forget about.)
Eclipse glasses you can still buy (although these likely won’t come in time:)
A moderately chic pair you might be able to wear again.
