The solar eclipse is coming Monday, and just about everyone wants to get a good look at the fantastic cosmological event.

But remember, you are still looking at the sun, and that means you have to employ some safety equipment, or risk serious damage to your eyes.As of late, numerous online and brick-and-mortar stores have been selling special shades and viewing aids in order to get a good view of the eclipse. The only issue is, where there is a market, there will be cheap knockoff products to meet a demand.So what can be done to ensure that you have the right stuff for the big day?"We used to say that you should look for evidence that they comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for filters for direct viewing of the sun," a statement from the American Astronomical Society reads. "But now the marketplace is being flooded by counterfeit eclipse glasses that are labeled as if they're ISO-compliant when in fact they are not."The AAS now recommends that you should only purchase eclipse glasses from a list of verified retailers (https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters), unless you have received your glasses from a trustworthy source, such as an astronomer.Verifying that your glasses are truly ISO-compliant requires lab testing with a spectrophotometer, which shines intense light through the lenses and measures how much light comes through. However, the testing is prohibitively expensive, so if you are wary about the quality of your equipment, do not risk using it.The Palmerton Area Historical Society at 410 Delaware Ave. is a good source for safe shades, but you'll have to hurry if you want to get a pair."We have a limited number, about 30 left at the Heritage Center. We've had people stopping in and picking them up for a while," Palmerton Area Historical Society's Peter Kern said.And if you happen to miss the opportunity to pick up a certified set of lenses to catch the big event, Kern recommends an alternative that's easier on the eyes."My plans are to watch it on TV, that's probably the best way to see it. Do that, and have an eclipse party," he said.