LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With the total solar eclipse a month away, an internationally known astronomer is warning people about counterfeit glasses that won't protect you from the sun.
A total solar eclipse happens when the moon moves in front of the sun, blocking it from our view and casting a shadow on the earth. For much of the Louisville and southern Indiana area, the eclipse will start around 1:45 p.m. and will be at its max just after 3 p.m. on April 8.
People should be on the lookout for dangerous counterfeit glasses.
Dean Regas is an internationally-known astronomer. He is getting telescopes ready for April 8.
"100% is just so incredible," Regas said.
As Regas did in 2017, he is urging people to purchase inexpensive eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.
"If any part of the sun is shining, even 1% of the sun is shining, that's dangerous," Regas said. "It can really mess up your eyes."
Regas said eclipse glasses are so inexpensive, about $5 a pair, it makes sense to order a few of them. But Regas said before people place an order, they should make sure they are getting the real thing.
He warns that a cheap counterfeit glasses sold online don't provide enough protection. Instead, he said to make sure glasses say "ISO certified" and ideally have a shiny front, which are the best quality.
"The newer ones that are darker will have that shiny front," Regas said.
Regas said if someone is shooting video with their phone to not point it at the sun for any length of time. He recommends a lens filter for the sun or hold a pair of eclipse glasses in front of it.
"You can take your glasses, put them in front of your lens and take a picture that way," Regas said.
If eclipse glasses are sold out, Regas said welder glasses can also work. He said people need to have some eye protection.
WDRB and Scooter's Coffee partnered to offer eclipse glasses at local area stores. Customers who buy a specialty drink or Scooot! Energy! drink will receive one free pair. Additional eclipse glasses can be purchased for $2 each. There is a limit of four additional pairs per visit. The glasses feature WDRB Meteorologists Marc Weinberg and Jude Redfield.
April's event will be the last total solar eclipse visible in the continental U.S. for 20 years. The next one is in 2044, and totality won’t be visible in the Ohio Valley.
Eclipse coverage on WDRB:
You’ll be able to find all our Eclipse coverage on wdrb.com and some of that coverage involves you!
Do you have questions about the eclipse, how to watch safely, or how kids can participate? Send them to us! We will have a panel of experts answer your questions in one of our upcoming segments. You can send those to me on Facebook or X or you can email me: hstrong@wdrb.com
To read more Don't Waste Your Money stories, click here.
More Solar Eclipse Coverage:
- WDRB solar eclipse glasses available now at Scooter's Coffee
- Southern Indiana towns preparing to cash in on April's total solar eclipse spotlight
- Eclipse countdown | What's the difference between totality and partiality?
- Eclipse countdown | Louisville area prepares for total solar eclipse in our area on April 8
- Eclipse countdown | Kentuckiana's 2024 total solar eclipse viewing guide
- University of Louisville offering class preparing students for 2024's total solar eclipse
- Southern Indiana city expecting 3 times its population to converge for 2024 solar eclipse
- Indiana DNR preparing for total solar eclipse in April 2024
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