Ahead of Wednesday’s rare cosmic event, thousands of people in London are scrambling to buy protective eyewear, sparking a frenzy that has driven prices sky-high and emptied store shelves. Vendors are reporting sellouts within hours of new stock arrivals, while online marketplaces list glasses at double or triple the usual price. Some sellers have even been accused of price gouging, with pairs that normally cost £2 now being offered for as much as £50.

Safety experts and astronomers, including those from NASA, are urging buyers to verify that any glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Counterfeit and substandard products have appeared on platforms like eBay and Amazon, raising concerns about eye damage during the partial eclipse visible across southern England. The Royal Astronomical Society has issued guidance on how to spot fake glasses, advising consumers to purchase only from reputable vendors.

Retailers across the capital have struggled to meet demand. Major chains report that their entire stock sold out within days, and some stores have limited purchases to one pair per customer. Observatories and science museums that usually stock glasses are completely depleted. Meanwhile, pop-up stalls in tourist hotspots have capitalized on the shortage, selling unverified eyewear at inflated prices.

The frenzy underscores the public’s eagerness to witness the phenomenon safely, but experts warn that proper precautions are essential. With the eclipse expected to draw large crowds to parks and rooftops, authorities remind everyone never to look directly at the sun without certified solar filters.