Safety Alert: Get authentic eclipse glasses

Those of us in the path of Eclipse 2017 are 14 weeks away from the rare event.

As ABC 17 News has reported, the path of totality cuts directly through Mid-Missouri.

Columbia will see 2 minutes and 37 seconds of the total solar eclipse; Jefferson City will see 2 minutes 29 seconds.

During totality, when the moon entirely blocks the sun, it’s safe to look directly at the eclipse.

It is very dangerous to look at the partial eclipse. You must have real eclipse glasses to view a partial or annular eclipse. Click here for NASA’s eclipse safety info.

Scammers are already trying to make a quick buck by selling fake eclipse glasses, which do not meet international safety standards.

According to NASA, one of the companies in question is called Solar Eclipse International out of Toronto, Canada. It is suspected of selling glasses that are not properly certified.

The proper glasses meet international standards and say so on the glasses. Click here to learn more about ISO standards. It is important that you know where you’re getting your eclipse glasses.

Eclipse glasses can be bought for $1.49 at the Mizzou Store in Columbia, and for $2 at the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau.