US to Experience First Total Solar Eclipse Since 1979

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- American Paper Optics, the largest 3-D glasses manufacturing company in the world, has announced the one-year countdown to the next total solar eclipse in the United States, an event that last happened 38 years ago. On Aug. 21, 2017, millions of people across 12 states, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina, will be directly impacted by the total solar eclipse. The remaining 38 states will experience a partial eclipse. Everyone will need special solar glasses to view the event.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399767

All total eclipses begin and end with a partial eclipse, with the entire event taking nearly three hours. However, the total part of a solar eclipse usually lasts only two to three minutes. During a total solar eclipse, daylight is replaced by darkness, bright planets and stars become visible while the temperature drops and the sun is completely covered by the moon. It is an experience described by those who have witnessed it in other places around the world as amazing and unforgettable.

The 12 states that will witness the total solar eclipse fall within the "Path of Totality." To view a state-by-state map of the path of totality, click here: http://www.eclipseglasses.com/pages/2017-eclipse-state-by-state.

While experiencing the 2017 solar eclipse could literally be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, APO urges viewers to practice safety precautions by wearing ISO-certified solar glasses. APO's Eclipser® Safe Solar Glasses block the harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays of light that come from the sun and are essential for viewing the partial phases that precede and follow totality.

"It's finally our turn [in the US] to witness this indescribable event! And, what's even more exciting is that the only thing you really need to be prepared for this amazing experience is a pair of our safe solar eclipse glasses," said John Jerit, president and CEO of APO. "This is a rare opportunity for possibly hundreds of millions of people, so we're encouraging everyone to get out and enjoy your slice of the sun on Aug. 21, 2017."

Viewers outside the path of totality must view the partial solar eclipse with Eclipser® Safe Solar Glasses. Viewers inside the path will need the glasses for the partial phases but can view those rare and beautiful two minutes of totality without the glasses. 

"I honestly can't think of an event that will have this much of an impact on so many people, and we are thrilled to be part of history. For a few minutes, the entire country will stop what they are doing to take in this event. I can't tell you the last time that has happened," said Jason Lewin, director of marketing at APO. "While the excitement continues to grow about the upcoming phenomenon, we definitely want people to be safe. Our low-cost glasses will allow viewers to witness this event with the peace of mind that they have put safety first."

Given that anyone and everyone who hopes to experience this rare and unique event in the sky must be wearing solar glasses in order to do so, APO expects to sell 100,000,000 of the glasses before Aug. 21, 2017. While this seems like an impossible feat, the company has done it before. APO produced 134,000,000 3-D glasses for Intel, Pepsi and DreamWorks' promotion of the movie Monsters vs Aliens during the 2009 Super Bowl. For the last year, Jerit has been talking with corporations and organizations across the US, from universities to CVBs and from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, who want to capitalize on the event for their customers and employees. The glasses can be custom-branded for any company – using size, shape and color scheme to promote the business while giving customers and employees the opportunity to experience the event.

"This is the largest and most impressive celestial event most people will ever see, and this historic opportunity is something major corporations, companies and organizations of all sizes can participate in at a very inexpensive cost. We are encouraging groups to order early since the demand is expected to be extremely high," Jerit said.

To additionally commemorate the historic countdown to the 2017 total solar eclipse, APO has created a special Spotify playlist available here. For more information and to purchase Eclipser® Safe Solar Glasses, call 1-800-767-8427 or visit http://www.eclipseglasses.com.

About American Paper Optics
American Paper Optics, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of 3-D glasses and other 3-D/optical products, is a one-stop source for anything 3-D. Over a span of 25 years, APO has manufactured more than two billion paper 3-D glasses. APO also offers an endless variety of frame styles, specialty optics, full color printing, and intricate die-cutting capabilities.

SOURCE American Paper Optics