MISSOURI, USA — Cities around southern Missouri and Illinois are preparing for a total solar eclipse on April 8.
The celestial event will be visible in 15 states across the country with more than 30 million people in the path of totality.
Some Midwesterners may be feeling déjà vu. A similar event, an annular solar eclipse, happened last October. Although it was only a partial eclipse, people came out in droves to buy eye protection to watch the event.
So, is it safe to reuse last year's glasses for this year's eclipse? We spoke to experts to VERIFY.
The question
Is it true people can reuse eclipse glasses from 2023's partial eclipse to view 2024's total eclipse?
Our sources
The answer
Yes, it's safe for people to reuse eclipse glasses from 2023 for this year's total eclipse, as long as they have the right certification and are undamaged.
What we found
People can use old eclipse glasses, if they meet certain caveats.
Counterfeit glasses are the first issue people should address, according to experts. Legitimate eclipse viewing glasses have an "ISO 12312-2" certification printed somewhere on them. The certification comes from the International Organization for Standardization, a group of 167 countries, that sets safety standards for numerous products, including eyewear.
The American Astronomical Society lists verified suppliers of certified eclipse glasses on its website. Click here to see the list.
The glasses also need to still be in good condition and properly fit. Any scratches, punctures or other damage to the glasses could pose a danger to your eyes, Rallo said. Stating at the sun for just a few seconds without proper eye protection can burn the eye's outer surface and cause damage.
Rice also warned people never to use a telescope or binoculars to view the eclipse, even while wearing certified eclipse-viewing glasses. The instruments gather and magnify light past what the glasses can protect against, increasing the chance of eye damage.
We can VERIFY: Yes, as long as the glasses are certified and undamaged, they're safe to use.
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