Rush to find solar eclipse glasses as UK high street stocks run short

Britons are scrambling to find specialized eyewear for Wednesday's partial solar eclipse, as high street stores report running out of eclipse glasses. The demand has outstripped supply, leaving many consumers unable to secure the necessary protection in time for the astronomical event.

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We have sold out of solar eclipse glasses, both online and in our shops, due to an unprecedented volume of orders.

Online shoppers tracking down a pair are facing similar disappointment, with many facing delivery dates that fall after the eclipse. The Royal Observatory Greenwich confirmed it had sold out of solar eclipse glasses due to "unprecedented volume of orders." Retailers like Robert Dyas have also seen their stock depleted, with "out of stock" messages appearing on their websites.

Consumer experts have stressed that ordinary sunglasses are not safe for viewing the sun during an eclipse. "They were sold out everywhere," said Emma from Tonbridge, Kent, who described her unsuccessful attempts to find glasses for her family. She noted that even local opticians offered little help, with one assistant reportedly hanging up when asked about availability.

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They were sold out everywhere.

Neill Sanders, founder of Go Stargazing, suggested the shortage was due to a lack of advance planning, stating, "Everyone's suddenly realising we need glasses for Wednesday." He had imported 300,000 pairs from the US, distributing many to astronomy clubs, but it was too late for most remaining stock to reach individuals.

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I’m getting loads of calls, text messages, emails with people asking ‘do you have some glasses?’. Everyone’s suddenly realising we need glasses for Wednesday.

For those without proper glasses, astronomers recommend indirect viewing methods. Jake Foster, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, advised using household items like a colander or a piece of paper with a small hole to project an image of the eclipse onto a surface. He cautioned viewers to look at the projected shadow, not the sun itself, to avoid eye damage. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists previously reported vision problems for about 70 people after the 1999 total solar eclipse.

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If you don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses, you can still view the eclipse indirectly. Any household item with small round holes in it, such as a colander or even a piece of paper with a small hole poked in it can project an image of the eclipse on to a flat surface.