Make sure you have the right glasses to view eclipse

Pictured are people using eclipse glasses. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ava Wiant | Contributing Writer

The university and a researcher at Miami University are doing their part to make April 8 — the day the solar eclipse crosses North America and passes over Mexico, the United States and Canada — as safe as possible for anyone who plans to view the phenomenon.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on the planet and momentarily blocking the sun’s radiant disk. During this celestial alignment, the sky undergoes a dramatic transformation as darkness descends, and the sun creates a faint halo around the silhouette of the moon.

Ohio is in the path of totality. The partial eclipse starts at 1:53 p.m. with totality at 3:09:29 p.m., lasting for 2 minutes 43 seconds, with the end of the eclipse at 4:25 p.m.

The last eclipse occurred in 2017, and in 1979 before that. Not only is this year’s event important because it is the first in years but this event has people coming to Ohio from all over to see it. This influx of people is already causing schools and businesses to close for the day. 

Undergraduate and graduate/doctoral classes scheduled to start between 1:25 and 4:50 p.m. will not meet Monday, April 8, allowing all to view the eclipse, UD has announced. All classes scheduled to start before 1:25 p.m. or after 4:50 p.m. will meet as scheduled. 

This week, the university also strongly encouraged students to visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology Solar Eclipse Eye Safety and NASA Eclipse Safety pages for tips on viewing the eclipse safely. 

Students can pick up free eclipse glasses from the front desks at the RecPlex, KU, Roesch Library, Stuart, Campus South, Marycrest, Marianist, Founders and 461 Kiefaber.

Awareness about the risks associated with counterfeit eclipse glasses is important because of lessons the 2017 eclipse. Then, the market was inundated with fake glasses that failed to provide adequate eye protection, putting unsuspecting consumers at risk of eye damage. Although fake glasses are being sold still, there are ways to check the authentication of the glasses. 

Henry Jin, a researcher at Miami University specializing in counterfeit products, has been lending his expertise to educate consumers on how to identify and avoid counterfeit eclipse glasses.

“… if you are looking to buy a pair of sunglasses, the best thing to do is to take them to an optician to get it verified. Following that, you can use, if you have a UV light at home, uh, view, take a look at it, um, by putting it over a dollar bill and to see if you can see the security stripe because a dollar bill is designed to use UV light to show the security stripe.” 

The professor said the evolution of online marketplaces has led to the integration of third-party sellers, offering consumers a wider selection of products while retailers benefit from increased variety without additional inventory.

Online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon have evolved to accommodate third-party sellers, to a virtual flea market with auction capabilities. This expansion allows for a broader range of products to be available to consumers without the retailers having to manage additional inventory. Retailers such as Walmart and Newegg have also tapped into this model, realizing the benefits of offering a wider selection without the burden of stocking additional items.

One significant advancement in this model is the introduction of fulfillment services, where third-party sellers can send their products to a retailer’s warehouse. When a consumer makes a purchase, the retailer fulfills the order directly, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience for all customers. This addresses the issue of varying shipping times commonly encountered on platforms like eBay, where delivery times can range from a few days to several weeks, leading to customer dissatisfaction.

Counterfeit products pose various issues for both consumers and the online marketplace itself. Consumers may unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods, believing them to be authentic, only to discover later that they have been deceived. This damages trust in the marketplace and can lead to negative reviews and complaints. Additionally, counterfeit products can harm legitimate businesses by undercutting sales and tarnishing the reputation of genuine products.

Here on campus, officers from UD’s Department of Public Safety and the city of Dayton will be working with deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to provide assistance during the eclipse. Should you see or experience something concerning or need help, UD’s communications center is available 24 hours a day at 937-229-2121.

For more information, visit Ohio’s Solar Eclipse website.