Eclipse: do not use 3D glasses
Using 3D glasses to view the eclipse is extremely dangerous.
Anybody wishing to observe the solar eclipse arriving on 20 March must make sure that they use glasses specially designed for the purpose. Not using glasses or using the wrong type of glasses could lead to serious eye damage.
Fullest eclipse since 1954
This will be the most visible solar eclipse in Iceland in over sixty years. On 20 March, the sun will be covered up to 99% by the moon in eastern Iceland and to a slightly lesser degree elsewhere.
Chairman of the Icelandic Society of Astronomy, Sævar Helgi Bragason, has issued a serious reminder to amateur stargazers in an interview with Morgunblaðið. “Many people have been asking whether they can use the 3D glasses they get at the cinema or normal sunglasses. The answer is: absolutely not! They do not dim sunlight sufficiently and they let through dangerous rays,” Bragason warns. “And people should definitely not use 3D glasses. They are, in fact, worse than no glasses at all.”
Sold like hot cakes
The Society set up shop in the Kringlan shopping centre at the weekend selling specially designed glasses for viewing the eclipse, the first of this magnitude since 1954. The entire weekend stock of over 2,000 pairs sold out. Glasses will be sold again in the Smáralind shopping centre next weekend and are available for sale on the Society’s website.
“They’re a good investment. If people keep them safe, they can use them again for the next full eclipse on 12 August 2026,” jokes Bragason.
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