Shortages and Safety Warnings Precede August 12 Solar Eclipse
5 sources across 5 countries
Who reported this
- France 24
- Sueddeutsche Zeitung
- NRC
- El Pais
- BBC News
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
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A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Europe and the UK on Wednesday, August 12. Public demand for certified protective eyewear has led to widespread shortages at opticians, museums, and retail stores. In some regions, such as the Netherlands, reports indicate that glasses are being resold on online marketplaces for up to 50 euros each. Some retailers have also removed products from their websites due to concerns over the efficacy of certain safety filters.
Health experts and astronomical organizations warn that looking directly at the sun without specialized glasses is dangerous and can cause serious eye damage. Standard sunglasses, dark goggles, and homemade alternatives like X-ray films or welder's masks are not sufficient for protection. Certified glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 standard and be free of scratches or holes. Additionally, NASA and other experts warn that pointing cameras or smartphones directly at the sun without a professional solar filter can damage the device sensors.
For those unable to find certified glasses, experts suggest indirect viewing methods. These include using a pinhole projector made from card and paper, a colander to create multiple images of the sun, or a pinhole viewer constructed from a cardboard box and foil. These methods allow observers to see the eclipse as a projection on a surface rather than looking directly at the sun. Children should only observe the event under adult supervision to ensure safety equipment is used correctly.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets emphasized the consumer struggle to find glasses and provided detailed alternative methods for safe viewing.
- Centre
- These outlets focused on the practical dangers of DIY protection and the logistical shortages of certified equipment.
Sources
- Centre BBC News: Three ways to watch safely without glasses
- Centre-left El Pais: All the mistakes that can ruin the eclipse experience and that you can avoid
- Centre France 24: X-ray films, welder's mask... Why DIY protection to watch the eclipse is dangerous
- Centre NRC: Up to 50 euros each on Marktplaats and long lines at stores: eclipse glasses are hot and almost nowhere to be found anymore
- Centre-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung: Astronomical event: Can one still get glasses for the solar eclipse now?
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.