Solar Safety: A letter from our CEO (Updated 8/14/17)
August 14, 2017
Dear Celestron customer,
On August 21st 2017, millions of observers across North America will have the opportunity to observe an eclipse of the sun. Everyone who views the eclipse must use proper eye protection while the eclipse is in its partial phase, including those on the path of totality.
Recently there have been several reports of potentially unsafe solar products being sold on Amazon and through other retailers. As a result of the reports, Amazon required all manufacturers and sellers of solar observing products to provide ISO compliance documents. Celestron submitted documents ensuring the safety of all EclipSmart products, which were were accepted and approved by Amazon.
However, it is possible some customers will inadvertently receive an email from Amazon regarding the safety of the product. This may be a result of product bundles or multipacks being sold by third-party retailers on Amazon. Any customer who receives a notification from Amazon or has concerns can read our extended statement here.
At Celestron, safety is our highest priority. We would like to reassure our customers that Celestron EclipSmart products are 100% safe for solar observing, as reinforced by the list of reputable vendors of solar filters and viewers by the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
"Celestron is on our list of reputable vendors of eclipse viewers and solar filters because they have demonstrated to our satisfaction that their EclipSmart products have been properly tested and shown to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for filters for direct observation of the Sun." Rick Fienberg, American Astronomical Society
All Celestron EclipSmart products feature Solar Safe filter technology and are ISO compliant to the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2 for filters for the direct observation of the sun. Every EclipSmart solar shade and filter uses film supplied here in the United States by American Paper Optics, one of the suppliers recommended by NASA and the AAS. This includes EclipSmart Solar Shades, EclipSmart 2x Power Viewers, EclipSmart Solar Safe Glasses, EclipSmart Solar Safe Photo Filters, and all EclipSmart Solar Telescope Filters.
EclipSmart binoculars and telescopes feature dual-lens, non-removable glass solar filters that fully meet the ISO 12312-2 standard. Celestron went even further to ensure safe solar observing by having Solar Safe filter technologies independently lab tested by Optical Data Associates.
The upcoming total solar eclipse will be a magical and wondrous experience for millions of observers across North America. Make sure your experience is a safe one by using ISO compliant products as recommended by NASA and the AAS, including Celestron EclipSmart products with Solar Safe filter technology.
Learn more about solar observing safety by visiting Celestron Eclipse Watch.
Thank you,
Corey Lee
CEO, Celestron
