Solar eclipse, the last time was in 1999. The total one that will arrive over continental Europe on August 12 has not appeared for over two decades. In Italy, it will arrive shortly before sunset but will be partial: in Milan, the maximum is expected at 8:20 PM, with about 92% of the Sun covered.
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To safely observe the phenomenon, it is necessary to use glasses with filters designed for direct observation of the Sun. Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not enough. Behind the cardboard frames, there is a small international industry, ranging from the production of filtering material to assembly and compliance testing.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) currently lists 25 verified manufacturers across the United States, Europe, and China. To be included in the list, companies must submit test reports demonstrating compliance with the international standard ISO 12312-2, conducted by qualified laboratories.
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The American giant
The heavyweight in the sector is American Paper Optics, based in Tennessee. It produces solar glasses and viewers also on behalf of other brands and manufactures them in the United States; it claims to have sold more than 50 million for the 2017 American eclipse and 75 million in 2024.
The AAS list also includes Rainbow Symphony and Thousand Oaks Optical. However, part of the global production passes through China: Cangnan County Qiwei Craft, Hangzhou Retsing Eyewear, Jaxy Optical Instruments, and Shenzhen Lionstar Technology. Some of these also produce on behalf of third parties for foreign distributors, who then apply different brands on the devices.
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