Eclipse glasses in Winnipeg gone ahead of solar eclipse

Eclipse glasses are a hot commodity at the Manitoba Museum. CityNews talked to an expert to figure out what to look for when it comes to counterfeit glasses. 

“I know there’s no other sources in Manitoba, almost all of Canada — almost all of North America — is sold out,” explained Scott Young, an astronomer at the Manitoba Museum.

Young has seen evidence of counterfeit glasses here in the city, saying if you haven’t bought the glasses already from a reputable source — like a telescope store or museum — you may be better off using alternative methods.

“If you don’t have eclipse glasses already, you don’t want to try and buy some online,” said Young. 

“You can still find them online, but they’re from sketchy, fly-by-night operations that just suddenly have popped up and some of them have shown to be not safe.” 

Young says if you can see through your glasses at all, they’re no good — and potentially dangerous — saying other security features like a safety rating can be counterfeited. 

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“The material that’s in the glasses should be almost completely opaque. You shouldn’t be able to see anything at all except a really, really bright light. 

The Canadian Space Agency calls the event, which will take place mid-day Monday, “awe-inspiring” and while eastern provinces will experience a total eclipse, Winnipeggers will see a large portion of the sun covered, but not a full covering.

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-term care advising members of the public to take caution when viewing the eclipse, saying it’s been in contact with schools and childcare providers ahead of the event, as children are one of the groups at higher risk. 

While there have been partial eclipses over Winnipeg in the last decade, the last time a total eclipse took place was in 1979. And like today, it was an event to remember, souvenir maps plotting its course commemorating the event, its path right over Lake Winnipeg. 

Young says his interest in science peaked during that eclipse roughly 45 years ago, he says it’s still out-of-this-world to see so many people excited. 

“An eclipse is really a good chance for people to connect with the bigger universe and understand how they sort of fit in.”