Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders]
Now isn't this interesting Mike .
I don't know if you remember a couple of years ago I was in touch with Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs about the plastic solar filters that come with cheap scopes in an effort to get them banned. There was a thread about it somewhere, but according to FT; after contacting and speaking with "optical experts" and Ophthalmologists the little filters were fine to use 
You now after years of using telescopes and solar filters I just feel so damn stupid.  Who do I believe 
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After calling for all to turn their backs the author of one of their papers has stated the following:
"Although we strongly advise against any direct viewing of the eclipse, if you decide to view the Sun directly use only "CE" marked standard solar filters and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully."
Dr Rowan Porter (page 11, 2nd column, last paragraph)
http://www.aso.asn.au/images/stories...he_eclipse.pdf
The message that they are sending out is a little mixed.
I would have preferred to see a warning similar to what was printed in ASTRONOMY 2012 AUSTRALIA, page 5 (In the Shadow of the Moon). It gives accurate information regarding the risks involved and lets people know how to view the Sun in safety with solar filtered telescopes.