Did I Buy Bad Eclipse Glasses? I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid black. What a rip off!

If you can see anything of your surroundings with your eclipse glasses, they are not suitable for viewing the sun. The same applies to camera filters.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid black. What a rip off!

If you can see anything of your surroundings with your eclipse glasses, they are not suitable for viewing the sun. The same applies to camera filters.

For some people after the eclipse they will not be able to see anything either, the ones who used no glasses.

jon S

Retinas, have no pain sensors. Truth.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid black. What a rip off!

If you can see anything of your surroundings with your eclipse glasses, they are not suitable for viewing the sun. The same applies to camera filters.

Here is a perfectly safe way to view the Great Eclipse of August 21, 2017. And from more than one location. Rest your DSLR and fire-up your DVR, Computer, and you can photograph your TV or Monitor rather than try a screen capture.

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream

https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive

And I'll bet there will be many local sources for those wanting to see what is happening outside their location. There will be live events all over and some with Web broadcasts I'm sure. From L.A., CA (only < 70% eclipse though)

The Griffith Observatory from 9:00 - Noon PST (or do they mean PDT as this is Summer?)

http://griffithobservatory.org/events/Solar_Eclipse_August_2017.html

Cal Tech

http://www.caltech.edu/content/solar-eclipse-viewing-party

Does the University of Missouri have an observatory with TV and/or Web feed, at UM at Columbia? Columbia, MO is right in the path of totality! Yes it does, cool! For those in the Mid-West anyway.

http://missouri.edu/eclipse/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lamiaceae wrote:

For some people after the eclipse they will not be able to see anything either, the ones who used no glasses.

They'll see this eclipse, but nothing afterwards.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lamiaceae wrote:

Here is a perfectly safe way to view the Great Eclipse of August 21, 2017. And from more than one location. Rest your DSLR and fire-up your DVR, Computer, and you can photograph your TV or Monitor rather than try a screen capture.

Definitely! Regardless of weather or cloud cover, there will be good images online and on TV.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Easy to determine if they're safe.

First, put them on and stare at the sun for a few minutes.

Next, remove the glasses.

If you're now blind, they were no good.

Simple.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Treepusher wrote:

Easy to determine if they're safe.

First, put them on and stare at the sun for a few minutes.

Next, remove the glasses.

If you're now blind, they were no good.

Simple.

Thanks. I'll try that. I thought it takes a day to use your sight.

FotoPhreak Loc: Whittier, CA

My guess is that you got authentic eclipse glasses. They should be very dark - next to black. Using them to view your monitor is not a good test. Take them outside in the daylight. From what I have read, the only thing you will be able to see with the glasses is bright reflections from the sun off shiny surfaces. Far better to have something that is nearly opaque than something that will leave you blind.

Wonder if there are some on-line braille courses to quickly bone up on in case the glasses are not up to snuff.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid black. What a rip off!

Turn up display brightness! Works for me.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

jerryc41 wrote:

I tried out my eclipse glasses a few minutes ago, and I think I got cheated. After I put them on, I wasn't able to see my computer screen! They are solid black. What a rip off!

If you can see anything of your surroundings with your eclipse glasses, they are not suitable for viewing the sun. The same applies to camera filters.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

When I was into doing sun photos for sunspots, I use welding lens. Have not attempted to try the self darking lens. May have to see just how efficient they are or are not.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Jerry, you got a good deal. You shouldn't be able to see anything but the sun when you put them on. PS don't use them for driving.

russchristopher

I don't believe you have tested your solar glasses properly. Direct sunlight is many times stronger than your computer screen, which is why you won't go blind nearly as quickly from staring at your computer than at the sun. Put your glasses on and go outside and look up at the sun. If all you can see is a round spot of light, your glasses are doing what they are supposed to do: protecting your retina from damage.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

russchristopher wrote:

I don't believe you have tested your solar glasses properly. Direct sunlight is many times stronger than your computer screen, which is why you won't go blind nearly as quickly from staring at your computer than at the sun. Put your glasses on and go outside and look up at the sun. If all you can see is a round spot of light, your glasses are doing what they are supposed to do: protecting your retina from damage.

What if they are strong enough to block computer screen, but not enough to keep sun from burning hole through retina??