# Shady Solar Eclipse Glasses **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 15, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718 "2017-08-15T15:49:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/61 "2017-08-21T11:29:48Z")
I have some glasses from American Paper Optics, but they were bought from a third party via Amazon so I’m kind of nervous about it. I can see my phone torch but only as a single faint pinprick - is that still safe? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/62 "2017-08-21T13:07:19Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Um…how? I mean other than not using #10 welding glasses, which by definition, would not be “being cautious”. You answered your own question - what else would I mean? The recommendation is for shade #14 welding lens. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/63 "2017-08-21T14:08:47Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Perfect! 😃 > > Now I need to go check my welding lid to see if I can figure out what shade it is… Yeah, me too. Did look directly at the sun on Friday with it. Not sure what the number is, though. It is for arc welding, and is super super dark. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/64 "2017-08-21T14:19:10Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The recommendation is for shade #14 welding lens. I saw that recommendation when I looked for info a couple of weeks ago. But now that I look again, [NASA is saying that a shade number as low as 12 is acceptable:](https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety) > [@NASA](#): > > Experts suggests that one widely available filter for safe solar viewing is welders glass of sufficiently high number. The only ones that are safe for direct viewing of the Sun with your eyes are those of Shade 12 or higher. These are much darker than the filters used for most kinds of welding. If you have an old welder’s helmet around the house and are thinking of using it to view the Sun, make sure you know the filter’s shade number. If it’s less than 12 (and it probably is), don’t even think about using it to look at the Sun. Many people find the Sun too bright even in a Shade 12 filter, and some find the Sun too dim in a Shade 14 filter — but Shade 13 filters are uncommon and can be hard to find. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/65 "2017-08-21T16:04:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yeah, me too. Did look directly at the sun on Friday with it. Not sure what the number is, though. It is for arc welding, and is super super dark. Hmm. Mine are a 10 (I think I was wearing my sunglasses too). Maybe I’m missing something here. Looking at the full sun through these is not the least bit bright or irritating. Is it the UV problem? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/66 "2017-08-21T17:41:12Z")
If NASA says use #13, I won’t encourage anyone to use less. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718/67 "2017-08-21T18:25:11Z")
Well, that was cool. 90% in central Arkansas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shady-solar-eclipse-glasses/793718.md?page=3)