Heads up, Pennsylvanians looking to catch the solar spectacle on April 8 – Attorney General Michelle Henry has issued a warning about scam artists hawking bogus solar eclipse glasses that fail to offer proper eye protection. With an eclipse this big, demand is sky-high, and scammers are, unfortunately, trying to cash in.
Folks are eager to witness the solar eclipse, they've got to be vigilant against fakes. Legit solar-viewing glasses come equipped with special-purpose filters crucial for safe sun-gazing. "This is a fun and exciting global event, and that widespread anticipation has attracted scammers looking to make a buck without consideration of potential harm," Henry said, as reported by Pennsylvania’s Attorney General. Consumers are urged to thoroughly research their purchases to safely enjoy the sky show.
In the path of totality lie Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Warren counties, where residents will witness 100% of the sun get blotted out. Meanwhile, the rest of the state can expect to see between 88 to 99% coverage. As per the American Astronomical Society, the market has been swamped by phony specs that won't do the job.
The Attorney General's office laid out some clear tips for eclipse watchers: Only use special-purpose solar filters, like "eclipse glasses" or handheld viewers for direct sun observation. The glasses you snag should be clearly marked with international safety standard certification ISO 12312-2; look out for this code on the frame, as per Pennsylvania’s Attorney General.
