The total solar eclipse traveled across North America on April 8, creating lasting memories for countless school-aged children who caught a glimpse of the celestial event. But important lessons linked to the eclipse need not be over yet.
The next solar is set to take place on Oct. 2, 2024. It will pass through parts of southern Chile and southern Argentina, where multitudes of young would-be gazers may not have the resources to obtain glasses for safe viewing. But several organized efforts to donate gently used, safety-approved solar eclipse glasses are underway.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about bridging gaps, connecting people through a shared experience, and igniting a passion for the cosmos in young hearts,鈥� stated in a news release announcing its donation program.
Schools in the U.S. that shared the eclipse with their students, possess a surplus of the viewing specs, and want to teach lessons in recycling and sharing may want to get in on the action.
Here鈥檚 how.
How to donate eclipse glasses
Experts from the remind would-be donors to make sure glasses meet safety standards from before donating them. In addition, shared glasses should be scratch- and tear-free, without punctures or other damage that could compromise their safety.
Where to donate the glasses
From hyper-local grassroots efforts to well-coordinated national initiatives, various organizations are accepting donations of solar eclipse glasses. Here鈥檚 a partial list:
sells ISO-certified eclipse glasses. Founded by educators-turned-small business owners, it鈥檚 collecting the glasses for kids in underserved communities around the globe. Interested donators can request instructions by emailing info@eclipse23.com.
, based in Calabasas, Calif., aims to 鈥渂uild and cultivate community through astronomy.鈥� It has curated this of local drop-offs around the country accepting donated eclipse glasses.
