Fake Shortages of Eclipse Glasses
and What to Do About It

Suddenly there's a "shortage" of eclipse glasses

 

Stories featured in our daily bulletin come in from myriad sources including personal interviews we conduct with officials at "ground zero", the transcontinental centerline of the Aug. 21st Total Solar Eclipse. What we didn't expect was for our very own observatory to be the victim of this story about unbridled greed and avarice.

We had heard that there were going to be retail shortages of eclipse gear in the latter part of August so we stocked up and made our final order in late July. Despite our prepayment and guaranteed delivery date, our order never arrived even though we had a tracking number established at the US Post Office the last week of July. Twice our delivery date was postponed. And then we find that the exact same glasses we were selling for $5 each are now selling for $15 each online!

So what has happened? They kept our money, did not fill our order, and sold our glasses at a much higher price to other buyers. But is there really a shortage? Was there really a shortage when gas prices shot to over $4 a gallon in 2004?

No. The answer to the gas prices and the eclipse glasses is the same. There was and is no shortage of either. There are plenty of glasses out there, but they're selling at inflated prices. Our supplier manufactures 450,000 eclipse glasses per day. An artificial shortage has been created by denying us the opportunity to buy and sell eclipse glasses at less than the wholesaler now wants to sell them.

What to do if you can't find eclipse glasses

We recommend that you purchase #14 welder's glass (also refered to as Shade 14) to completely and safely view all partial phases of the eclipse. Do not use any glass lower than Shade 14. Some outlets have been offering Shade 5 goggles, but know that these will cause eye damage. Use only Shade 14.

Amazon sells 2 Shade 14 welder's glass products, shown right. The drawback is that you'll have to hold them up to your eyes, but they are completely safe to use for all phases of the eclipse.

Welder's glass is how everyone viewed eclipses safely before mylar film eclipse glasses were mass-produced and became popular due to their lower cost.

Here's another possible solution to the eclipse glasses shortage: your public library. Libraries across the country have received donations of eclipse glasses, which they're giving free to locals. Your library may still have a supply of free glasses. Contact your local branch and use your library card to combat exploitation.

No eclipse glasses, no solar telescope, no solar binoculars and no #14 welder's glass?
Here is your last resort