Total Solar Eclipse: Beware Of Fake Viewing Glasses

With a total solar eclipse imminent, on April 8, 2024, one important warning to heed from experts is beware of fake viewing glasses.
This advice has become necessary in view of some realities. First is the rare nature of a total solar eclipse, meaning that a lot of people would want to track its journey.
Second is that being a rare spectacle and source of fun for many, people would readily troop out or climb buildings to try to catch a glimpse using viewing glasses.
It has thus become a potential money generating source for some, especially gullible one who would want to cash in without considering consequences.
Plainly, there is high possibility of fake viewing glasses hitting the streets.
READ ALSO: Total Eclipse Warnings: How Prepared Are You For April 8

Viewing the eclipse may have its repercussions

In other words, safety should be a factor of concern to many who many be interested in viewing the total solar eclipse.
As at March, there had been warnings about potentially dangerous fake eclipse glasses, and for people who are not scientifically discerning enough, patronage and use of such fake glasses, could come with a number of health consequences.
In the United States of America, for example, which has an obviously superior technology such warnings has equally gone forth.
The authorities expect as the moon passes in front of the sun creating such rare phenomenon, that millions of people would try to gaze up to catch the spectacle, hence the need to be armed with the right viewing gadget.
They expect these fun-seekers would be flocking to a narrow band of land from Texas to Maine — the path of totality, where, as a report has rightly indicated, the shadow of the moon will plunge the Earth into darkness.
According to Ernie Wright, at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Scientific Visualization Studio “And I think even more importantly, 2024 passes over a much bigger population. More than twice as many people actually live in the path and don’t have to go anywhere to see it.”
READ ALSO: NASA To Launch Three Sounding Rockets During Solar Eclipse

Reports in the USA Today, indicate that in the US alone, hundreds of cities and smaller towns in 13 states lie along the path.
An estimated 31 million Americans already live on the path, while millions more tourists are already making travel plans – sure to snarl traffic – to catch a glimpse of what is sure to be a spectacular sight”, it adds, quoting eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler.