For schools, communities, groups, teams, businesses, organizations and even for families or individuals planning special events around the 2017 eclipse, or other partial eclipses, is a lot of fun and offers some amazing learning opportunities. Having the right solar eclipse glasses on hand for everyone to use will be an important part of being safe and allowing everyone to enjoy the full watching experience.
There are two basic types of solar eclipse glasses on the market today. The first are the durable paper types of glasses that look somewhat like the 3-D glasses that are provided in theaters for the enjoyment of 3D movies. The other options are plastic eclipse glasses which resemble somewhat of a wrap-around type of sunglass design.
Both options in solar eclipse glasses are highly effective at blocking out the harmful energy from the sun during the seconds as the shadow of the moon moves over and off of the sun. The glasses can also be used for partial eclipses, which makes them a handy item to have around the home or as part of the supplies for a school, business or community group.
Paper Glasses
The paper solar eclipse glasses are actually very stylish with several of the top eclipse glass manufacturers offering a range of different designs and colors. They are not really paper but a durable cardboard that provides a solid yet lightweight and comfortable frame.
The paper types of glasses are designed to last for more than one use, and can be easily stored away and used many times. At under a dollar, these glasses are ideal for anyone to use.
Plastic Glasses
The plastic types of solar eclipse glasses are very stylish, and they provide a great option for adults and teens for eclipse viewing. Since they are designed for longer use they can easily be stored and used again, which makes them a great investment. Still much less than a typical pair of sunglasses, they are a great gift idea for the whole family.
The Lenses
While the frame is important to provide protection to the sides of the eye, it is the lens that is the most important. Look for lenses that are ISO and CE certified and tested. These glasses need to be specifically approved for solar viewing. This is because they need to be able to block out the intense visible light, the UV light as well as the very harmful infrared light.
The best types of solar eclipse glasses will block 100% of ultraviolet and infrared and 99.999% of the intense visible light. These types of glasses are going to be highly protective to wear, a perfect addition to your eclipse watching gear.
